A Sideshow on a trip to the Abyss (2022)

This installation, assembling photographic works from the 1980s, highlights Sayadian’s favorite subjects: consumerism, sex and surrealism. In these controversial shots, the artist was able to express the «unreal» of a society marked by the exponential growth of capitalism and the backlash of 1970s feminism. Between overconsumption and post sexual liberation, explicit and monetized hyper sexualization made its grand entrance into Western society. At that time, sexuality and consumption are intimately linked, and this is what Sayadian gives us to look at through his critical, surrealist and quirky eye, revealing the absurdity of American society in the eighties.

Director: Stephen Sayadian
Runtime: 25 min
Release Date:
Original Language: en
More Films by Director: Stephen Sayadian

Frequently Asked Questions

What is A Sideshow on a trip to the Abyss about?
This installation, assembling photographic works from the 1980s, highlights Sayadian’s favorite subjects: consumerism, sex and surrealism. In these controversial shots, the artist was able to express the «unreal» of a society marked by the exponential growth of capitalism and the backlash of 1970s feminism. Between overconsumption and post sexual liberation, explicit and monetized hyper sexualization made its grand entrance into Western society. At that time, sexuality and consumption are intimately linked, and this is what Sayadian gives us to look at through his critical, surrealist and quirky eye, revealing the absurdity of American society in the eighties.
Who directed A Sideshow on a trip to the Abyss?
A Sideshow on a trip to the Abyss was directed by Stephen Sayadian.
How long is A Sideshow on a trip to the Abyss?
A Sideshow on a trip to the Abyss has a runtime of 25m (25 minutes).