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s y n a p s e
The alignment of your body is something central. Each movement or position of your body is linked to an emotion or a state of mind. I sometimes have the feeling that I am somewhere else, outside of my body. It is only my mind that is present. We sometimes forget that we have a body; each movement becomes automatic. You rarely pay attention to the movement of your hands over your keyboard, or your feet when you are walking down the street. However, everything starts with the body. Your mind, emotions and feelings are generated by your physique. It is important, sometimes, to reconnect with your person. To connect your mind with your spine and your body, to have the impression that you are fully centred.
This project is about the different perceptions of your body. Sometimes, you find that you are completely in sync. Other times, depending on the way you move and act, you will feel unbalanced. Each position is connected to an emotion and a feeling. If you are tired, your body will slouch, and you will find yourself with less energy. By centring yourself, your energy will become focused as well, and you will feel refreshed and aware. The spine and the alignment of your body is represented by fibre-optics. Depending on the way you move, you will change the orientation and the curvature of your spine. If you are completely straight, the fibre-optics will not light up. Your movements are linked to four photocells that change states depending on their exposure to light. I decided to use photocells as switches that activate the fibre-optics because I wanted to work with sensors that need to be affected by something natural in order to change states. The way you move and the way you act remains natural. I find that using light to activate the fibre-optics, which needs darkness to be fully visible, is interesting as well. The fibre-optics light up, but you are not able to see a straight light, just fragments of light.
The different states:
- Direct connection
The fist state is a direct connection between the fibre-optics and the photocell. Depending upon the way you move, the fibre-optics will visually represent the different movements and positions of your body.
- Recording movement
You have the option to record your movement. When you begin recording, you consciously decide to pay attention to each movement. You do not limit yourself to certain movements, but you act more as an observer, completely attentive to the way you move.
3. Memory of movement
Afterward, you can consciously decide to play the memory of your movements through the fibre-optics on your back. Their being on your back emphasizes that they are something that is completely anchored and connected to your body. You do not need to see it to be able to feel it.
website:
http://hybrid.concordia.ca/~b_nina/hiver2011/secondskin/project/alternate_power/0.html
