You Can’t Outrun Agoraphobia; That Mask Isn’t a Shield

2024. Digital photographs of performance.

Mayo Clinic defines agoraphobia as “a type of anxiety disorder” that “involves fearing and avoiding places or situations that might cause panic and feelings of being trapped, helpless or embarrassed. My agoraphobia stems from my chronic pain and illness: I fear being alone, or without people who understand my condition, in a public setting (such as an airplane) while having a health problem. In this performance, I attempted to leave my home and failed due to my self-imposed limitations (represented by the red rope). I try to hide my pain and look ladylike by putting on a mask, but the mask’s uncanny appearance gives away my abnormality.