Post-internet artists Arvida Byström and Maja Malou Lyse explore dildo theory and post-human relationships in a new collaboration
Dildo theory.
[F]ollowing an art performance about the semantics of sex toys (notably the dildo) in Milan, artists and friends Arvida Bystrom and Maja Mayloulyse collaborated on a shoot continuing the discussion of the dildo in a modern context of love, sex, the internet and femininity. Are dildos purely a substitute for a phallus or symptomatic of a post-human sexuality? These questions, as well as the disruption of what we consider “normal” and the incorporation of objects into our experience of the human condition is a familiar ground for these two artists. Their early work grew out of a tumblr origin where commentary on the visual and political structures of feminity engendered a discourse that we are still conversing with today.
Here we see a conversation between the two with stylist Ines Fravezzi where they unpack the ideas surrounding dildo theory, the importance of female collaboration and mutual support.
How did your artistic collaboration develop?
M: Our first big collaboration was in 2014 when we curated a show together called ‘LIKE’, which we did a little tour with. I think that’s when we realised that we made really amazing stuff together, even though it was tough to get there! A year later we made Selfie Stick Aerobics performance and later as a video piece, which had a very overwhelming reach! This summer we worked on a new performance together which we performed in Milan.
A: Yeah we are looking for somebody to fund another video for us right now. To me working with Maja just challenge me in just the right ways. I collaborated with a lot of amazing people, but never somebody I felt so in tune and intertwined with. Like in other collaborations people might come with their work to me and ask me to make a visual side to etc, but when we work it is from start to end together in a really great and challenging way and I feel both of us always leave feeling like we grown or something hah!
Tell us about your performance at La Triennale di Milano in Milan, what was it about? Where did the idea / concept come from?
A: The theme of the event we performed at was “sex and love” so we did a performance about a person who is in love with her sex toy. The monologue is based on Sex and The City quotes about sex and dildo’s combined with more heavy literature and theory like Paul B. Preciado and post-humanism like Donna Haraway.
M: And we played sound off our dildo’s too! Our piece was called Post-Phallic Lover Boi.
Some people believe in a work environment women tend to compete against each other while men tend to stick together more and have each other's back. Do you think this is true or just an outdated stereotype?
M: Well yeah, women have been raised to see each other as competitors. We are socialised to scrutinize ourselves, which often also means scrutinizing other women to see how we stack up. It’s hard to see a woman as a potential ally when you’ve been taught she’s your competition!
Dress: Vivetta
How important do you think friendship between female artists in general? Why?
A: Essential, unless you just wanna lift up yourself. I honestly mainly work with women identified and queer people and I love it. It’s been a very special and accepting environment for me, just having the attitude that the men around is not my prioritisation have made me been able to focus on things and inspiring people I love. That is just truly a great environment to thrive in.
Who are your current inspirations?
M: As a duo I would probably say we are very into dildos right now. Dildo theory, like we read Paul B. Preciado together the last time we saw each other. Personally I’m obsessed with Annie Sprinkle at the moment, and have been for a while now. She is a bubbly feminist porn star and producer, sex worker and sexual educator. I try to channel her in everything I do, kind of like a spirit animal.
Dress and gloves: Versace |
top: Maja’s own | Jacket: Ter et Bantine
What your plans and hopes for the future?
M: When we were in Milan we had a lot of fun recording a little poppy dildo love-song. Right now we are coordinating the making of the music video for it! It should happen in LA sometime over the winter. It’s a video piece based on our performance at La Triennale di Milano. That’s what we have planned right now. As hopes for the future? Staying productive and staying together!
A: Yeah I really want to get the project going! Money is always the issue though, but we are working on it!
Follow Arvida on Instagram @ArvidaBystrom, see more of Maja’s work on her website.