The Theatre of the Self project reflects multiple themes found in my arts practice around the construction of gendered subjectivities. Performed in 2017, I have published a box set of five A6 colour-coded books that are simultaneously art, documentation, and interactive mental health diaries.
A limited edition of 100 copies of the Theatre of the Self A6 box set of documentation & interactive mental health diaries will be published in mid-January 2021 and for sale: @£19.95. www.theatreoftheself.co.uk
They will also be featured at the Arnolfini & BABE in March 2021.
Taking its starting point from a 30 day performance of reading, editing and burning 30+ diaries (2017), the Theatre of the Self documents a personal journey through life stories and encourages us to re-think our stories for good mental health.
The documentation book includes short excerpts from diaries (1977-2010), and interpolated commentaries that explore psychological narrative reconstruction – how in changing the stories we tell ourselves about ourselves, we survive trauma and improve our mental health.
The 4 colour-coded mental health diaries use themes explored in the project and share suggestions about ways to re-think the self and our stories. They include the Little Black Book of Catharsis (with a handy match on the spine).
Edited by Dr. Davina Kirkpatrick, and printed at local Headland Printers in Penzance, the proejct was funded by Cultivator & Arts Council England.
Download:The Theatre of the Self publishing information