ladylike

2016 Performance
Wide view of a person wearing a long curly blonde wig and dark robe, lying face-down across a low bed while writing in an open notebook with a pen. A large wooden-framed mirror beside the bed reflects their face and upper body. A pink tabletop mirror, lamp and small objects stand nearby, while framed photographs hang across the white gallery wall above.
Close view of the person seated on the bed in a dark robe and long curly blonde wig, shaving one shin with a blue razor. White shaving foam covers part of the lower leg as one hand guides the razor across the skin.
The person kneels on the bed in an open dark robe and long curly blonde wig, bending their torso forward over one raised lower leg while shaving it with a blue razor. White shaving foam remains across the shin and knee, while grooming objects are arranged around the bed.
The person stands beside the bed wearing a white buttoned blouse, black skirt and long curly blonde wig. Bent forward at the waist, they use both hands to pull a black stocking up one leg.
Wide view of the person seated sideways on the edge of the bed in a white blouse, long black skirt, black stockings and curly blonde wig. One hand rests near the waist while the other supports the body against the mattress. Their head is turned toward the room and nearby viewers. A mirror, lamp, grooming materials and framed photographs surround the bed within the white gallery.
Close view of the seated person in a white blouse and curly blonde wig, resting their chin on the backs of both hands with elbows held close to the body. Their face is turned forward, with lips closed and eyes directed toward someone beyond the frame.
Side view of the person seated on the bed in a white blouse and long curly blonde wig, knees drawn upward beneath dark clothing. Their head and eyes turn sideways toward a seated viewer visible against the wall behind them.
The person sits upright on the edge of the bed in a white blouse and curly blonde wig, one hand resting on the mattress and the other near their waist. Their face is turned directly toward the camera with lips closed and eyes looking forward. Grooming containers and a metal bowl sit on the floor beside the bed.
The person stands beside the bed wearing a black bra, sheer black tights and a long curly blonde wig, holding a long black garment around their thighs while partly undressed. Their head is bowed toward their hands and clothing. A lamp, mirror and dressing and grooming materials remain around the bed.
The person lies nude on their back across the bed wearing the long curly blonde wig, with knees raised and legs apart. Strawberries are arranged over the genital area and along one side of the torso, while white whipped cream rests on the abdomen. An audience member’s hand reaches into the frame above the body holding a strawberry.
Closer overhead view of the person lying nude on the bed with strawberries arranged across the genital area and beside the torso. An audience member reaches over the body and dispenses white whipped cream onto the abdomen. Metal bowls, containers and other materials surround the bed.
Full-body view of the person lying nude on their back across the bed in a long blonde wig, arms extended beside the body. Strawberries are arranged around the genital area, hips and upper arms, while thick white whipped cream is spread across the abdomen and thighs. Metal bowls and containers remain beside the mattress.
Close overhead view of the person lying on the bed with eyes closed and mouth open, their long blonde wig spread around the head. White whipped cream covers parts of the abdomen and torso, with strawberries and small pieces of food resting on the skin. An audience member’s hands reach over the body and spread white whipped cream across the abdomen.
Photography: Derin Cankaya

ladylike is an experimental performance investigating female gender representation. Departing from the premise that bodies are the primary means of representation, Leman Sevda Darıcıoğlu questions the relationship between space and gender through inquiry: Does space possess gender? Does gender possess space? How does gender operate within a space? What does it mean to present a body?

The artist, dressed in a mourning robe and blonde wig, begins by writing thoughts and feelings about the present moment in a diary while lying on a bed. They then shave their leg hair and begin applying makeup. After removing their peignoir and dressing in conventional feminine clothing and cosmetics, they sit on the bed and engage the audience directly through a "lady smile" and gaze. Following prolonged eye contact with viewers, they remove their clothes and lie on the bed. Audience members then participate by placing strawberries on their genital area and applying whipped cream to their abdomen, creating a visual confrontation with gendered bodily presentation.

Close view of an audience member’s hand holding a strawberry above the reclining person’s body. Strawberries are arranged across the genital area and beside the hip, while metal bowls, grooming containers, clothing and other performance materials are scattered around the bed.
Photography: Derin Cankaya
Presentations
Space Debris, Istanbul, TR, 2016
Credits
ladylike, by Leman Sevda Darıcıoğlu, live performance, 90 minutes, 2016
Performance Gender Audience Participation
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