Hayden Dunham has been the newest sensation in the art world. She is strong-headed and has a personality that speaks for itself. She is tall, and she knows what her body needs to be as per her art. At the age of 27, her focus is highly admirable. She is the latest artist to be represented by Andrea Rosen’s gallery. Hayden Dunham is working 24/7, is managing work in different time zones, and has been working overtime to complete the installation of BIO:DIP, her dual exhibition with Nicolas Lobo at Red Bull Studios New York.
Hayden Dunham values research and is not at all lazy
On being asked what BIO:DIP based on, she explains that it talks about outside influences on our bodies. That is what will remain her central concern in BIO:DIP. The show is curated by Neville Wakefield. Dunham believes in the research and also knows its importance. While researching for the show, she visited power plants in China, the Blue Lagoon in Iceland, and a former polio hospital in Lulling, Texas near her hometown of Austin.
“I don’t think organic bodies exist anymore. We’re way past Donna Haraway’s idea of the bionic body. I’m more interested in the body as a place for constant augmentation,” Dunham said as she sipped her mossy green drink. She knows the reality well but does beat herself up about it. She keeps her creativity intact along with all the research.
Dunham has created her own energy hotspots. These are nothing but coolly impassive sculptures that need closer examination. She believes that good imagination takes you a long way. An ice sculpture hanging beneath a staircase acts as its own filtration system as it melts.
Deeply connected to her art as focus remains her key
Dunham spiritually describes everything in transition, which remains “a state of becoming.” She also has a very interesting theory and idea to describe it. She believes that things can have healing properties in one state, toxic ones in another. “I coated the objects in this show with silica, in its liquid form,” explains Dunham. “But in its powder form, it can be extremely dangerous — if you breathe it in, it can stay in your lung tissue. My grandfather was a geologist, and he became particularly ill.”
This statement also serves as one of her rare discussions about her private life. She generally hates any kind of biographical information about herself. “I don’t think talking about my past is that interesting,” says Dunham. She is fondly remembered for her project QT. She performed this project as a fake pop singer who was promoting a fake energy drink. The statement is ironic but is equally true. She believes that it would be better to talk about her sculptures, as they possess the same amount of energy as people. “It’s hopeless to try to talk about them if you can’t feel them in here. Language is really limited, you know?” said Dunham as she prepared to leave. You just cannot disagree with her.
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