Because I Love You

This project was instigated by my environment and inspired by the internet campaigns of an organization against domestic violence, the One Love Foundation. 1 in 3 women, and 1 in 4 men, will be victims of domestic violence in their lifetime. The risk is three times greater for women aged 16 to 24. The project questions why such a prevalent criminal phenomenon lies under the surface of societal perspective, instead being seen as something that only happens in the slums of our communities, in the darkest of places. In reality, domestic violence occurs everywhere and to everyone. It happens so often and so invisibly because it is posed as something intimate, something done out of love. It is the quiet control that an abuser holds over his partner, it is the threats that prevent the victim from leaving, it is the belief that they hurt you because they love you. The phrases I chose to replicate in this project are phrases which are commonly uttered in situations of sexual, emotional, physical, financial, and all other kinds of domestic violence. Scattered on sidewalks across Philadelphia, the pairing of the shocking phrases with pink spray-paint and a sweet “xoxo” send-off is intended to spark first curiosity, and then active disgust in the viewer. This project encourages the public to reconsider their understanding of expressions of love in light of the ever-present shadow of domestic violence — because I love you.