Oral Presentations and Performances: Session III
Project Type
Presentation
Faculty Mentor’s Full Name
Kelly Schirmann
Faculty Mentor’s Department
English
Abstract / Artist's Statement
The poetry collection Showpony focuses on the real-life experiences of a twenty and thirty-year-old woman —pseudonymously known as Mrs. G — during the 1970s, who is treated by psychiatrist Dr. Robert J. Stoller at UCLA in a desperate attempt to make her normal. Mrs. G struggles with homicidal and suicidal thoughts, psychosis, as well as her homosexuality and transgender identity. Showpony examines the ways in which psychology has pathologized these experiences and the ramifications for patients, particularly those who have been publicly showcased as examples of their conditions used to train future students. The collection critiques the exploitation of patients by psychiatrists and psychologists, highlighting unethical treatments in the field. Through cut-up transcripts of therapy sessions, essays, and news articles, the collection is joined with poetic commentary and questioning. While Showpony addresses themes of mental illness and psychological distress, it resonates with anyone—regardless of their familiarity with psychology—due to the relatability of Mrs. G’s desperate quest for genuine help, for both her and her children. By centering on her conflict between the desire for masculinity and the need for femininity, readers are invited to reflect on their own journeys of self-exploration, expression, and acceptance in a world that often stamps out differences, even in spaces designed to cultivate self-understanding. Ultimately, Showpony asks: what needs to be fixed?
Category
Visual and Performing Arts (including Creative Writing)
Showpony
UC 331
The poetry collection Showpony focuses on the real-life experiences of a twenty and thirty-year-old woman —pseudonymously known as Mrs. G — during the 1970s, who is treated by psychiatrist Dr. Robert J. Stoller at UCLA in a desperate attempt to make her normal. Mrs. G struggles with homicidal and suicidal thoughts, psychosis, as well as her homosexuality and transgender identity. Showpony examines the ways in which psychology has pathologized these experiences and the ramifications for patients, particularly those who have been publicly showcased as examples of their conditions used to train future students. The collection critiques the exploitation of patients by psychiatrists and psychologists, highlighting unethical treatments in the field. Through cut-up transcripts of therapy sessions, essays, and news articles, the collection is joined with poetic commentary and questioning. While Showpony addresses themes of mental illness and psychological distress, it resonates with anyone—regardless of their familiarity with psychology—due to the relatability of Mrs. G’s desperate quest for genuine help, for both her and her children. By centering on her conflict between the desire for masculinity and the need for femininity, readers are invited to reflect on their own journeys of self-exploration, expression, and acceptance in a world that often stamps out differences, even in spaces designed to cultivate self-understanding. Ultimately, Showpony asks: what needs to be fixed?