The Takeaway Shadows project by Juliana Iriart consists in a device that allows the artist to sketch the shadows of the visitors in their posture of choice, cut them out, fold them and give the drawings to them as a present. It is not merely a shadow but the result of mediation where the participants make the final decision. One at a time, the visitors are invited by the artist to walk into the place. Once inside the place, every spectator has a short time to choose the way to project their shadow and is requested to stay still for a few seconds. On the other side of the canvass, the artist draws the outline on a roll of gift wrapping paper.
The action ends with an invitation to the visitors to collect their shadows. Meanwhile, each shadow is cut out by another person who folds up the paper and turns it into a little present. The shadow is thus handed out as a keepsake. It is a simple deed, a ludic invitation. Yet, it allows us to experience not only how we project ourselves but also how we choose to be seen.
