(Un)Weigh Yourself

The series of works titled “(Un)Weigh Yourself” focuses on the issue of eating disorders (EDs), a mental health condition that, according to statistics, affects approximately 5–10% of the population, often subtly and without visible signs for those around them. The installation consists of casts, ready-made objects, and a short performance video.

At the center of the installation is a weighing scale, intentionally altered to prevent it from functioning. The outlines of feet are drawn in reverse, and the visitor deliberately cannot see the number on the scale, pointing to an excessive fixation on body weight and the neglect of health.

The core of the installation is a series of rice cakes made of plaster. The material symbolizes the rigidity and psychological burden associated with eating disorders. The rice cakes appear in two forms: intact and broken, reflecting the thin line between a healthy lifestyle and an extreme regime. The performance video complements the installation, showing me breaking the rice cakes while wearing inconspicuous clothing and using work tools. This act symbolizes self-reliance, confronting internal burdens, and opening oneself to the world. The sound of eating rice cakes, in contrast to feelings of resistance, completes the audio layer of the video.

An important part of the project was a questionnaire I created for people who are currently experiencing eating disorders or have experienced them in the past. It gave them an opportunity to share their experiences with others. Texts taken from these responses appear on the rice cakes, while four questions from the questionnaire are displayed on the wall:

1. What has the eating disorder taken away from you?

2. Is there something this experience has taught you?

3. If food or a specific type of food were a symbol of your experience, what would it be?

4. What brings you at least a small sense of peace or joy?

Visitors can add their own responses onto a blank rice cake, transforming the installation into a space for sharing and reflection.

The light colors and soft background reflect the subtle nature of eating disorders, which often remain invisible to others. The presence of the rice cake and cutlery refers to periods when rice cakes replace complete meals. The installation creates a space for recognizing the burden connected to eating disorders, supports acceptance of one’s own body and a healthy lifestyle, and emphasizes the importance of sharing experiences and raising awareness about this condition.