Molly Gochman

Creating opportunities for community interaction, connection, and exchange is a primary artistic investigation of Molly Gochman’s work; this reoccurring self-driven exploration surfaced with Give-Away Project.

In 2002, Give-Away Project Part I began with Gochman’s announcement that 95% of her wardrobe would be given away during one evening at her studio. In preparation, hundreds of Gochman’s garments were suspended at varying heights, creating the illusion that items were floating freely when visitors arrived. Led by curiosity, participants weaved their way through candy-colored clothing and one another, choosing pieces that captured their attention. In exchange for the items, Gochman only required the recipient be photographed in their selection before leaving. In this process, Gochman’s intention to record aesthetic taste was accomplished.

During Part I, the lighthearted atmosphere encouraged visitors to openly express their reactions. A year later, this became an integral component of Give-Away Project Part II, which featured the documentation taken that night. The images of participants posed in their selections were displayed in Houston’s DiverseWorks with 16 photographic panels ranging from 11 to 15 feet long.

Consistent with her entire body of work, Gochman explored the concept of value. This was demonstrated not only with the depiction of what her participants valued, but also by showing how the actions within her installations have as much value as the installation itself. Gochman also highlights how the documentation of these actions, sometimes considered to be less valuable than the actual event, can evolve into a significant series.