The Nun
2023

+The Nun+

written by Denis Diderot and created at
Chateau Orquevaux in Orquevaux, France during a 2-week artists residency.

My presentation to the residency occurred on March 14, 2023,
at which I read a summary:

In December, upon receiving news of my residency at Chateau Orquevaux, I delved into research. It all started with a visit to the residency website, which led me down a rabbit hole centered around Denis Diderot. Intrigued by the title of one of his books, I chose it without knowing much about its content. On 3rd March 2023, while traveling to Chaumont on the train, I finished reading The Nun. Little did I know, this book would become the inspiration for a project connecting myself, Diderot, and the subjects it discussed – a project I jokingly referred to as a "glorified book report."
The book in question sheds light on a grim tale of oppression, corruption, intolerance, predation, and the abuses inflicted by the Catholic Church in 18th century Europe. Its protagonist, Suzanne Simonin, a sixteen-year-old girl, was coerced into taking the veil and abandoned by her family at a convent. With few allies, Suzanne desperately seeks to annul her vows. Tragically, this was a common occurrence in 18th century France.
Diderot saw himself reflected in Suzanne's youthful innocence and identified with her plight. In an effort to appeal to his friend and attorney, he portrayed himself as Suzanne, hoping that her story would prompt his friend's return to France to assist her. The letters he wrote to his friend would later be published as a book following his death.
Diderot's own rejection of the clergy caused his father to disown him permanently. Through his writings, he revealed shocking behaviors of the church, which ignited great controversy during his time. I often felt that these words expressed his most sincere and truthful reasons for refusing a life in service of the church.

Growing up, the Catholic Church was my sanctuary, captivating my senses. While I prayed the rosary with my grandmother, I didn't have the same devotion. My mother's adultery and physical abuse challenged my understanding of sin, salvation, duality, and relationships. These experiences influenced my work for many years, shaping my identity beyond mere snapshots of my past. I felt estranged from the world, becoming a detached observer. This sense of detachment led to my identification with the fly, symbolizing my role as a witness, an enigma to myself. Just as I wandered the church alone as a young girl, I now wander the Earth as an adult with much the same curiosity. Studying Diderot's mind and life, I discovered parallels that allowed me to delve into his heart, acknowledging the hardships that triggered his breakthroughs. My work on The Nun revealed a hidden story between its lines. As I bridge the divide in my own life, dissolving extremes over time, I find myself connecting with stories imagined nearly 300 years ago.
Through this artistic expression, I hope to connect with others who can see themselves in these narratives.

The Nun
Denis Diderot
As translated by Russell Goulbourne
Oxford University Press
2018

Pages and cover from The Nun
Hand washed gravel from Chateau path
Handmade paper graphite
Gold paint
Gold string
Wood
Wire
Various archival adhesives
Glass dome
Handcarved fly relief print

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