Blindness Series

Blindness Series: Kore

17 min / 1994
Tran T. Kim Trang / USA
Kore is a project which investigates the conjunction of sexuality
with 1) the eye as purveyor of desire; 2) the sexual fear and fantasy
of blindness and the blindfold; and 3) women and AIDS. Can the
blindfold embody a touch-based pleasure associated with female
sexuality, in contrast with a vision-based pleasure assigned to
male sexuality? Can the choice to not-see facilitate ecstasy for the
subject? How do fear and fantasy contrast with the reality of vision
loss in the advanced stages of AIDS?

BLINDNESS SERIES: Operculum

14 min / 1993
Tran T. Kim Trang / USA
This experimental documentary juxtaposes footage from visits with seven
cosmetic surgeons specializing in blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) within the
Beverly Hills/West Hollywood area with text describing a 1950’s lobotomy
procedure to treat hysterical patients. This juxtaposition comments on
cosmetic surgery as a ‘desperate cure’. Blepharoplasty on Asian women
is regarded as a self-effacing fantasy of attaining the standard of beauty,
a standard that demands conformity to the norm. The artist poses as a
potential patient in consultation with the seven cosmetic surgeons.