surface area was a collaborative project that explored young people through photo, video, storytelling, and a healthy dose of body paint. fourteen people were taken through a two-hour explorative session, which included:

1. a formalwear shoot

2. being left alone in the studio space to answer questions direct to camera about their identity

3. stripping down and playing around with body paint

the primary aim of the sessions was to explore the notion of ‘dressing up’, both physically and emotionally. when we get

ready for the day, for an event, for anything out in the world, we choose which elements of our identity we showcase and which we push to the background. surface area sought to break this down, providing people with the opportunity to emotionally ‘dress down’ by freely discussing their identity in a closed space, then physically dress down and build themselves back up with colour, patterns and textures that freely express their identity and their bodies.

surface area was presented as part of Melbourne University’s MUDFest in 2019.

created by maya britbart ellazam / photography and supplementary videography by maya britbart ellazam / videography by francis cao / music by james emmanuel mckinnon