GOLD MILK
Godmilk is a provocative performance and audio-visual art installation that explores the intersections of the care economy, capitalist extractivism, and the gamification of female bodies. Set in a milk factory designed as an immersive environment, the project reflects the commodification of female bodies and motherhood, creating a visceral connection between the audience and the realities faced by women in society.
The core premise of Godmilk revolves around three postpartum mothers who pump breast milk live on stage. This act serves as both a literal and metaphorical representation of the systemic life force that breast milk embodies, while also critiquing the exploitation of women’s bodies in the capitalist economy. The installation utilizes breast milk as a powerful symbol, drawing parallels between the commodification of female bodies and the treatment of dairy cows in milk production. Godmilk investigates the care economy by examining the historical roles women have been assigned in caretaking and the societal expectations that accompany these roles. It critiques capitalist extractivism by highlighting how women’s bodies are commodified for profit, as well as the gamification of their lives through societal scoring systems. The project delves into how women are evaluated based on their productivity and recovery, drawing parallels with video game mechanics that rewar performance.
The core premise of Godmilk revolves around three postpartum mothers who pump breast milk live on stage. This act serves as both a literal and metaphorical representation of the systemic life force that breast milk embodies, while also critiquing the exploitation of women’s bodies in the capitalist economy. The installation utilizes breast milk as a powerful symbol, drawing parallels between the commodification of female bodies and the treatment of dairy cows in milk production. Godmilk investigates the care economy by examining the historical roles women have been assigned in caretaking and the societal expectations that accompany these roles. It critiques capitalist extractivism by highlighting how women’s bodies are commodified for profit, as well as the gamification of their lives through societal scoring systems. The project delves into how women are evaluated based on their productivity and recovery, drawing parallels with video game mechanics that rewar performance.
The visual installation mimics a milk factory, incorporating elements that evoke both nourishment and exploitation. Through a blend of live composition, digital art, and performance, Godmilk aims to create a multi-sensory experience that immerses the audience in its themes. Movement plays a crucial role in expressing the emotional and psychological weight of motherhood and societal expectations, enhancing the narrative and thematic depth of the installation. By featuring postpartum mothers, Godmilk addresses societal taboos surrounding motherhood and the recovery process. It also explores the dark web market for breast milk, highlighting the exploitation of women’s bodies and the desperation of those seeking nourishment. The installation functions as a metaphorical video game in which FLINTA (Female, Lesbian, Intersex, Non-Binary, Transgender, Agender) bodies navigate scoring and competition, further illustrating the pressures placed on women in contemporary culture.
Godmilk serves as a cultural critique that challenges audiences to confront uncomfortable truths about society's perceptions and treatments of female bodies. It emphasizes intersectionality by acknowledging the diverse experiences of women across the diaspora, inviting dialogue about the need for societal change. The project ultimately seeks to raise critical questions about how far society must go to support women and whether exploitation will continue to persist.
The installation invites the audience to engage with the performance, fostering a deeper understanding of the themes presented. By posing provocative questions, Godmilk encourages reflection on the care economy and the exploitation of female bodies. Additionally, it emphasizes community involvement by engaging local postpartum women, providing a platform for their voices and experiences.