First Impressions was a group exhibition which included a super 8mm film of mine called "Packing Heat” which shows a prop hand gripping a fake wax salami. A hot knife descends into the frame and begins to slice the unsuspecting salami, its heat transmuting the wax to an uncanny semblance of blood. The phallic symbolism provokes reflections on castration anxiety for some, and the transformative aspects of gender performance for others. The interplay between body horror and artificiality resonates with my interest in cinematic special effects and queer theory. The volatility of the melting salami is complemented by the super 8mm film - a notoriously fickle media. Here we witness a moment of material alchemy in action.

Daphne Simons

First Impressions