


vanity vault
2024
steel , incandescent bulbs , mirror , pdlc film , coin meter
18.5” h x 14” w x 4” d (excluding coin meter)
Vanity Vault is an interactive sculpture that confronts the intersections of capitalism, self-image, and the commodification of identity. At its core, the work invites viewers to engage with a simple yet provocative transaction: to see their own reflection, they must insert a coin. Only then does the mirror, coated with a PDLC film, reveal their image, briefly granting access to what is inherently theirs. The installation critiques capitalist systems that monetizes even the most personal aspects of existence. By demanding payment for the privilege of seeing oneself, Vanity Vault forces participants to consider how much they are willing to pay for something as intrinsic as their own reflection. It raises questions about ownership in a world where even intangible elements of identity - like likenesses and images - can be bought, sold, or stolen. The name Vanity Vault evokes the dual ideas of self-obsession and locked access, pointing to the societal pressures that equate self-worth with outward appearance. In the dazzling, transactional atmosphere reminiscent of 1920s Coney Island, the piece channels the spectacle of the carnival while laying bare the absurdity of paying for something that should be free. Through this ephemeral interaction, Vanity Vault challenges viewers to confront the cost of self-perception in a capitalist world