ZENSPA (森)(林)(温)(泉) : Bypassing The Conscious Mind

- 2020 | Multi-Channel Video Installation | Contemporary New Media Performance EEG(Electroencephalography) - Brain wave detective programme Breathing Machine 00:03:10 -
Videographer: Sebastian Taguiang - is experimental performance videography that explores sensory deprivation and its therapeutic effect using the EEG (electroencephalogram) - brain wave detective program and breathing machine. This project is an extension of , experimenting with eccentric me-time while focusing on a mere ‘BREATHING’ in turn reducing sensory stimuli allow the body to drift into our calm innerself.

In particular, in this work, I choose a face casting as a method of sensory isolation. Every nerve upon a mere ‘BREATHING’, inhale-exhale moment. Away from an anxious or overwhelmed mind, limiting distractions from sight, smell and sense of orientation. Isolated and paused our the mind will feel cut off from the outside world. As I do inhaling and exhaling and inhaling.. after all, there will be just my self, breath, awareness as if floating in the spatial-temporal dimension of consciousness.

In this digitised and fast-paced era, many intangible things are being lost unbeknownst to us, while experiencing adverse effects on human’s neural, physiological and emotional experience, such as sensory overload coming from the gap between development and human adaptation speed. The therapeutic time and space for sympathetic nerves tired of many sensory stimuli that are subliminally triggered by overwhelming digitisation.

Paradoxically, again, we may devise a way to use technology to preserve many things that will be lost more exponentially in the future. Behind the scenes of the era of sensory expansion, people may again use technology in order to cut off their senses again. The counter effect of the digital era, The irony of using technology again to find a solution: the inseparable and indispensable relationship between technology and humans.

Me-Time (4.0)
: mindfulness - introspection - void

2018 | Conceptual Performance
Experiential Experimental Research
Multi-Channel Video Installation
00:05:53

Videographer: Yejung Mutter

As a person with Hyperthyroidism, Kim is a solitary being who can easily be pushed into a sensory overload. To counter her vulnerability, her artistic research project Me-Time (4.0): mindfulness-introspection-void aims to align the mind and body back into balance by reducing sensory stimuli while experiencing and expanding awareness of the self.

Kim’s multi-channel video installations are a series of self-experiments. They are conceptually led performances at various locations that use introspective, meditative and eccentric methods of REST (Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy). As a coping mechanism, Kim chooses off-grid locations that reduce sensory stimuli where she can have subjective experiences of self-isolation and avoidance, ultimately enjoying her own personal space, time and experience.

Inward<—>Outward: Contemplation Chamber.
2018

You can find out more about this project here

Summarise your work in one word?

Art-Technology-Therapy

What inspires you to continue making work?

I’m working with technologically-mediated installation (both Audio & Visual) and new media performance regarding sensory experience. In my oeuvre, concerning the technoetic {techno X noesis} relation between art, technology and the human senses, consciousness plays an important role. I’ve been trying to reflect my scientific and meditative interests into my own form of art through various medium. Well, Based on this, my inspiration ranges vary from travel documentary, Sci-fi film, therapy method to what I sense in daily lives. I’ve been aspiring to create more conceptual, thought-provoking work that draws people’s empathy on social issues. I’m enthusiastic about creating intercultural connections between artists and communities, about considering its application and usability into the societal context. Specifically, my interests have focused on the artistic way of ‘SENSORY ISOLATION’. It highlights mental health issues that many people face in today’s technology-driven society. In this digitised and fast-paced era, many intangible things are being lost unbeknownst to us, while experiencing adverse effects on human’s neural, physiological and emotional experience. Based on this, what I’ve been doing is to present the eccentric way of feasible solution for a mental health problem. I believe that people in the creative industry should also concern current affair, social conflict, environmental problem, that can be incorporated by artworks.

What are you currently working on at the moment?

I’m making a next-year’s projects plan that embody the sensory isolation & art therapy more in-depth through Art & Technology including machinic modes of perception, immersive de-sensory/sensory experience through various medium. I’d like to deepen my practice through iterative research.

Who inspires you most to push your work further?

Above all, it’s cringe to say but my self - strong desire to express what I think, what I sense. To elaborate this, it is mainly based on my physical, physiological and psychological features. Since I have hormone/stress-related disease called ‘Hyperthyroidism’, hypersensitivity and meticulousness, I am easily be pushed into sensory overload. Under my hypersensitivity and the avalanche of runaway thoughts, I often encounter an ineffable cognition, perception, sense, thought and feeling in variable moments that are sometimes too elusive to define because not merely the volatility of associative feelings; but also the confined oral language. I’m eager for articulating who I am, what I think, ultimately, my sensory world by my own artistic language.

If you could say anything to your former self, regarding your art practice, that would help you progress what would it be?

Don’t doubt your belief on your practice and do your practice that you can genuinely enjoy. Don’t procrastinate, don’t be swayed too much by emotional trap just trust your self do your best no matter what situation is!

You can find out more about Eunmi’s work here and you can follow her here