smoke, 2002

sill from continuous loop video

dimensions varible

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In Smoke, two women share a red cigarette in a long elegant holder. The red of the cigarette intensifies the red of the women’s lips.

Through the use of the continuous loop, the cigarette is passed back and forth between the two women in a habitual display. There is no premonition to the negative consequences of this never-ending cigarette. The performance is awkwardly self-conscious and yet somehow narcissistic. The women’s bad acting ability lies in contrast to that of the familiar glamour of film noir. The women’s personality traits become increasing evident as they demonstrate their own unique smoking technique.

all images © Diana Shpungin & Nicole Engelmann 2000-2007