Leeza Meksin: Flossing the Lot

The site-specific installation Flossing the Lot involves a variety of shaped, spandex banners hung off of metal rings and attached to the three walls surrounding The Lot. In certain places, spandex chains will cut across the vertical shapes, binding them to the wall, and letting the “free” parts blow and billow in the wind. The cutout and archly stretched shapes will be mostly abstract, but evocatively feminine; they will also allude to certain parts of birds of prey (such as wings of an eagle or claws of a vulture). A fabric with large gold chains evokes both the fabric shops in, and sensibility of the neighborhood: Sassy, Foot Locker, Lids, a thrift store, and a 99-cent store all cluster around The Lot. With this installation, the artist explores how “Flossing,” “Fabulousness,” “Drag,” and “Bling” in marginalized communities relate to the history of bondage, slavery, and spiritual freedom. Leeza Meksin has designed public art projects in St. Louis, MO as well as at The Pine and the former Donnell New York Public Library in New York City. Meksin received a B.A.  and M.A. from the University of Chicago, a B.F.A. from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and an M.F.A. from the Yale University School of Art. Flossing the Lot is made possible thanks to the support of the National Endowment for the Arts and Project Storefronts.