Artist Wears 80lbs of Clothes in Landfill Performance

Artist Camilla Carper recently concluded their two-year project, 'As Much Clothing as Possible,' with a striking performance at Freshkills Park in Staten Island. On Saturday afternoon, Carper, adorned in approximately 80lbs of layered fabric, walked through the park, gradually removing each piece over 45 minutes. This event marked the finale of a project that began in December 2024 and explored the concept of wearing maximum clothing daily.

Carper's artistic practice, which originated from fashion design studies, views clothing as both sculpture and costume. Initially aiming for a specific scale and weight, the project evolved to encompass the temporal and environmental aspects of daily life, influencing the creation of new garments. This led to an accumulation of clothes, challenging notions of sustainable fashion and personal expression.

The performance aimed to invite viewers into Carper's unique "dress culture" and dimension. Over time, the project also influenced Carper's perception of self and public interaction, with the artist noting increased misgendering and a tendency to withdraw due to public attention. The final act involved participants wearing pieces from Carper's earlier 'As Little As Possible' experiment, culminating in a dance party.