The Kitchen

"The Kitchen" performance emerged from a deeply personal intersection of celebration, transformation, and renewal. It was inspired by my 40th birthday gala, during which I created a gown that embodied my fullest sense of beauty in the moment. Simultaneously, my kitchen was undergoing a complete remodel—an act that became a powerful metaphor for the creative process: even in destruction and change, new beauty is born, often enhanced by the act of rebirth. Filmed in one day with the help of my artist friend Simon Kim, the piece captures this moment of transition, symbolizing both an end and a new beginning—a closing chapter of the pandemic, the letting go of old love, and the welcome of new love.

This performance reflects the parallels between remodeling a space and reshaping oneself, illustrating the hard work, vulnerability, and inevitability of impermanence involved in growth. The disassembly of the dress and the destruction of the space symbolize the transient nature of form and the continual cycle of letting go and regeneration. Ultimately, the work explores the juxtaposition of permanence and impermanence, highlighting how transformation—though often momentary—is where true beauty resides.