Java-Sept-Pages-2018

SAMANTHA LYN AASEN
at Eye Lounge
By Amy Young
Last year, we covered Phoenix-based artist Samantha
Lyn Aasen’s exhibition Sparkle Baby’s Slumber Party.
That show comprised mainly her photography, along
with some video that featured Aasen herself in dual
roles – one being the show’s namesake, Sparkle
Baby. In that particular pink and glittery world –
styles that the artist loves to embrace – the timeless
ritual of the slumber party was examined. Beyond
that, the show explored the dynamics of friendship
between girls during the ever-complex passage
through those often grueling tween and teen years.
In her latest exhibition, Modern Merkin, Aasen again
addresses girlhood, but where Sparkle Baby was
rooted in a youthful time zone, this show emphasizes
the move into womanhood and finding a balance
between the two places. Don’t worry, there’s still
plenty of pink and loads of glitz.
Merkin is an extension of Aasen’s Vajazzle series, which
features photos of the artist’s own vagina adorned with
different types of decorative elements. Fancying up one’s
mons pubis area is known as “vajazzling,” and here,
that’s just what you’ll see.
Each photo is shot to only focus on that area of the
body. If Aasen didn’t reveal that she vajazzles and
photographs herself, there wouldn’t be anything else
to make that distinction – these are close-up shots.
The reason for that is not only that the artist likes to
fully understand firsthand the workings of the things
that interest her, it’s also that she’s not interested in
“putting my mark on others.”
What she’s chosen to mark herself with this time is
indeed a multitude of colorful and festive trinkets, many
of them easily leading to varying interpretations. For
instance, tiny baby figurines strategically positioned
around mini pacifiers are commonly considered cute,
but this one could also serve as awareness-raising for
reproductive rights – especially important during such
crucial political times.
A mons pubis covered in thick, colorful glitter is
dazzling and festive, while its glassy depth and
sharp nature make it a little more intense. It’s
like life – complicated. Other items you’ll see
vajazzled include electric pink frosting, candy
hearts and faux diamonds.
Aasen first found herself fascinated with this type
of self-décor back in 2014. “I saw the actress
Jennifer Love Hewitt on a talk show,” Aasen says,
“and she was talking about how vajazzling was an
empowering act for her. I got intrigued and obsessed
with finding all the information about it that I could.”
In addition to the empowering feeling vajazzling
brings to some, Aasen also likes that it’s fun and
silly. She has even embraced the practical aspects,
looking at objects and wondering, “Is this something
I could glue to myself?” And in trying it out, she got
a taste of how vajazzling can be kind of impractical.
“I think that’s why it has had a buzz, but never really
took off,” she says. “It’s not always very comfortable.
Some of the items, like the diamonds, for example,
18 JAVA
MAGAZINE