Gentle Shackles

This work uses mortise and tenon-inspired clothing and virtual accessories to explore the dual struggle of the body under institutional discipline. Authorities often adopt a “benevolent” form to exert control, which is symbolized here by the spine and mortise-tenon structure —which reflects both practical utility and metaphorical shackles, signifying the system's quiet but profound influence over individuals. Its integration with the human spine highlights the notion of the "body as system," showcasing how institutional forces subtly shape and discipline physical forms. The virtual accessories are represented as digital mortise and tenon elements, extending from the garment like invasive tentacles, symbolizing the ever-expanding control. This parasitic virtual presence grows, distorts, and consumes the wearer, metaphorically illustrating how power invades and erodes the real body in modern society. Through visual and structural elements, the work reveals the intricate power dynamics between the body and institutional systems, shedding light on the hidden struggles of individuals amid technological discipline.