History of the Sardine Can, 1973

The Discovery of…

I'd seen a photograph called : The Discovery of the Sardines by Ger Van Elk and thought oh well a highway with sardines coming out of a crack in the road, it left me craving for more of a presence. So I wrapped myself in aluminium foil to become the sardine, then built a large metal sardine can from which I emerged and was excited to perform this act on various stages & finally in 1976 at De Appel, the first performance art center in Amsterdam.

#GlamourIsResistance.

The performance at De Appel was meant to be very short to keep audience in anticipation. A big crowd gathered inside & people had to wait outside. I knew during this moment that well known filmmaker Ed van der Elsken was eager to come in, he photographed mostly women, however I did not want him to film or photograph me and started my performance w/o him. Feeling victorious. I relished retaliating against being used as a woman.