In a Room Full of Strangers
Nina Katchadourian
Contemporary Art
Since 2010 Nina Katchadourian has staged impromptu artworks in airplane lavatories, using only the materials at her disposal to transform her appearance in the tradition of Renaissance portraiture. For this three-channel video, the artist repurposed her shirt and scarf as well as folded paper towels and toilet-seat covers to construct her attire. She then filmed herself lip-syncing the Bee Gees’ hit “Nights on Broadway” while periodically delivering a deadpan glance at the viewer or her other on-screen personas. Katchadourian operates in the strange space between humor and seriousness, freedom and constraint, animating the ways identity is performed—even in a bathroom stall.
MEDIUM
Three-channel video (color, sound), bespoke wood frames; 4 min., 32 sec.
DATES
2013
DIMENSIONS
Framed monitor, each: 20 × 16 in. (50.8 × 40.6 cm)
Installed Dimensions, from floor to top of frames: 68 × 57 × 4 in. (172.7 × 144.8 × 10.2 cm)
(show scale)
ACCESSION NUMBER
2014.83
CREDIT LINE
William K. Jacobs, Jr. Fund
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Nina Katchadourian (American, born 1968). In a Room Full of Strangers, 2013. Three-channel video (color, sound), bespoke wood frames; 4 min., 32 sec., Framed monitor, each: 20 × 16 in. (50.8 × 40.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, William K. Jacobs, Jr. Fund, 2014.83. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, DIG_E_2015_Diverse_Works_04_2014.83_PS8.jpg)
EDITION
Edition: 5/5
IMAGE
installation, DIG_E_2015_Diverse_Works_04_2014.83_PS8.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2015
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
© Nina Katchadourian
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Is this a series of works by the artist?
Yes, that artist, Nina Katchadourian, has used herself as a model in a whole series of works made on airplanes while she travels. She took a series of still photos of herself in an airplane bathroom, wearing hats and costumes made of paper towels. This video piece was also made in an airplane bathroom! She calls the series "Seat Assignment."
![[Untitled] (Salt & Pepper Shakers)](https://d1lfxha3ugu3d4.cloudfront.net/images/opencollection/objects/size2_sq/CUR.2015.75.11a-b.jpg)
