Institute for the Humanities – Work Samples

“Swallowed Whole,” 2014 Single channel HD video, color, stereo, 4:00 min. “Swallowed Whole” is a somber, animated, experimental film about surviving extreme isolation and physical limitations as a result of traumatic injury. This abbreviated, jarring journey explores the physical and psychological landscapes of hospitalization and recovery. Edited to emphasize the physical impact of dropping, crashing, and slamming, the film repeats vertical frame-rolls from analog TV to metaphorically replay the impact that literally broke the filmmaker’s back. Additional documentation: http://heidikumao.net/projects/swallowed-whole/	Swallowed Whole from heidi kumao on Vimeo.
“Egress,” 2014, Detail from video installation, 6:17 min. loop Mixed media video installation: books, video projector, media player, speakers, 84 x 140 x 192 inches. Women stifled under an authoritarian regime reclaim self-determination by reading banned books to create their own reality from books' -- and even pages' -- physicality. Video documentation: https://vimeo.com/99893840 Additional documentation: http://heidikumao.net/projects/egress-2/	Egress from heidi kumao on Vimeo.
"Two Doors:" Recent Test Animation for "Erase, Replace, Repeat," 2017 Moving stuff from one part of my mind to another.
"Cleaning:" Recent Test Animation for "Erase, Replace, Repeat," 2017
"Combing": Recent Test Animation for "Erase, Replace, Repeat," 2017
"Discard:" Recent Test Animation for "Erase, Replace, Repeat," 2017
"Protest," 2005-17 Kinetic sculpture: Aluminum girl's legs, shoes, cafe table, glass top, motors, custom electronics. A motorized pair of girl's legs takes the emotional temperature of the room and makes her presence known through loud (she's wearing tap shoes) and erratic stomping. Documentation: http://heidikumao.net/projects/protest/	"Protest" @CCCB museum in Barcelona from heidi kumao on Vimeo.
"Resist," 2002-17 Girl's shoes, aluminum, motors, customized electronics, proximity sensor, wood and plexiglass platform. A machine portrait: motion-activated 6-year-old girl's legs. As viewers approach her, the legs begin a series of random behaviors from imperceptible movement to violent and fast kicking. Her actions leave permanent marks on the floor. Documentation: http://heidikumao.net/projects/resist/	"Resist" at Barcelona "Human+" exhibit from heidi kumao on Vimeo.
"Back Brace Self-portraits," 2011-12 Digital photographs. Documentation: http://heidikumao.net/projects/back-brace-photographs/