SITUATION #56

The imaginary character of Roberta Breitmore, created by Lynn Hershman Leeson, led a life of her own from 1972 to 1978. She spoke and wrote in her own unique way and easily made her way through society. Her artificial life began when taking up residence in Hotel Dante in San Francisco, where initially only relicts and traces of her were visible. By opening up a bank account, renting a flat, seeing a psychiatrist or joining Weight Watchers she performed social practices and obtained legal documents that testified to her existence. Her appearance was clearly defined by various “Construction Charts” and could be projected onto different actors with the help of eyeliner, toner, and lipstick. The construction of an artificially created character is documented by Lynn Hershman Leeson as a fluid and permeable process, inspiring ideas that have played out in a range of forms, including virtual reality.

More by Lynn Hershman Leeson: lynnhershman.com