cwsquared is collaborative project between Chloe Wack and Casey Wolhar. This project is an extension of our individual practices and allows us a space to explore the intersection of our work and learn from each other through the process.

Chloe’s practice addresses the translation and adaptation of photos and videos taken from personal collections. These works seek to record the growing and shifting dynamics of a social group with an emphasis on themes of friendship, how people perform in different spaces, and the process of making as an act of care and love.

Casey’s practice features performance and video with a focus on moments of tenderness and struggle through the enigmatic action. Her performances are often minimalist and domestic in nature, conveying themes of femininity, longing, desire, and introspection.

Seasons Series

These two works bring the shared interests of Chloe and Casey together and reflect the first half of a planned four-part series of video performance works that represent a year of time. We are interested in themes of anticipation, disappointment, and change as shown through the passage of seasons. The first two installments feature the seasons Summer and Fall. 

In Summer Bummer, we allow ice cream to melt continuously. The slow drip becomes synonymous with the slow roll of Summertime. Awful Autumn on the other hand, features quick burning marshmallows, paralleling the fast nature of the season. Throughout the two works, the only changing element is the objects in our hands. This contrasted with our apathetic expressions creates tension in waiting for a reaction. 

We are also interested in feminist ideas related to girlhood and aging, as well the relationship between food and feminity. The two foods featured are both sweet, calling back to girlhood and expectations of femininity. However, this youth and innocence cannot remain as the foods continue to change and decay. The changing nature of the food is contrasted by the stillness of the shot, echoing the sensibility of portraiture. As we sit still, staring back at the camera, we never acknowledge each other. This blocking establishes both a sense of comradery and loneliness as we go through this shared experience of failed expectations.