The Importance of Female “Fragmented Body" and “Body Traces” as Objects for Contemporary Art

Abstract

This article aims to study the concept of body as an artistic material in contemporary art found in 3 female artists. The research methods include the consideration in the process of artistic creation, the material utilization, the display together with other objects and the artwork exhibition. The research results found that 1] the artist Janine Antoni created the body traces via the selected materials that imply some specific meanings. Plus, the gnawing by her own mouth on the art pieces has posted questions about the gender roles in both male and female. 2] In Chiharu Shiota’s work, the body traces and fragmented body of the artist herself were used to reveal her past experiences and personal memories. These personal memories potentially invite the audience to consider and explore their own which might become mutual memories of the artist and the individual audience; or, whether it could further imply that these memories would be able to become social-shared. 3] And finally, in Julie Rrap’s artworks, the body traces and fragmented body represent the issue of female gender as the female body being objectified for consumption throughthe body trace presentationin negative space.