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An Introduction Against Identity

 


Introductions in a Western civilization centered so intensely around individuality and identity carry a sense of foreboding. On one hand, I’m Genevieve Cossette Frank (legally), I’ve been breathing on this planet for almost 25 years now, I have a cat, partner, a number of interests (mixed media art, cooking, exploring the outdoors, reading), and a few goals (education, financial stability, a future in arts-based, research--the usual). On the other hand, I have a very complicated relationship with identity that begs me not to degrade my identity to a few words. 


aforementioned cat and partner



Self-identity and the exploration isn’t always easy, as most know. I struggled to points that brought me to (successful!) treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder— not to ascribe this as an aspect of my identity, but rather to make real the impact a lack of self-identity brought and depth to your view of my perspective. That being said, moving towards life beyond BPD-turmoil was possible largely in part due to a reimagining of self-identity. I’ve found a sense of self to come within moments of action and creation, not moments of trying to figure out how I’d describe myself in relation to others. Our identity is built momentarily-by-moment, not something we have to be able to qualify to look at and figure out our place or understand our relation to others. 





a moment that encouraged my self to participate


“Too many people know too much about each other. Our new environment compels commitment and participation.” (McLuhan, Page 24) McLuhan’s consideration of how our disembodied selves will scream for “tangible” identities really resonated. Any and all art I’ve made has always been mixed-media, process art, always for myself over consumption. I’ve also always been a “research for learning’s sake” person, which as I grew, grew in tandem with my process-art-obsessed heart. My art and world are focused on exploring the physical world as a result of metaphysical actions and interactions. How a collective reality can be built off of symbiotic narratives, how people all starting as nearly the same thing become describable, identifiable individuals somehow creating a united, single experience of “each moment.” In a world that screams to cling to one Self while We fade into insubstantial black text against white boxes, I want to live in a way that encourages people to be actively participating in this one collective reality so hell-bent on individualism. 


-gcf 8/1/25

Intersection of Art and Science


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