My project is based on insomnia. It is a combination of digital art and colored pencil on cotton pastel paper. It incorporates a few different elements of the condition…the first concept highlighted by this piece is how social media can exacerbate insomnia. Using technology is a common coping mechanism for insomnia sufferers, but can worsen things by allowing the brain to remain “on” and engaged, as well as causing more anxiety. Consequently, an unhealthy cycle is perpetuated. Another concept highlighted by the piece are some of the physical symptoms brought on by insomnia. One of those is elevated heart rate, which I expressed using an ECG rhythm that indicates tachycardia. Another is the “wide-open” appearance of the eye, which represents that this “always-on” feeling can begin to wear on a person’s overall functioning. If they are not getting enough sleep, they can suffer severe consequences that degrade their overall functioning. 

Sources:

Roth T. (2007). Insomnia: definition, prevalence, etiology, and consequences. Journal of clinical sleep medicine : JCSM : official publication of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, 3(5 Suppl), S7–S10.

https://www.sleepfoundation.org/how-sleep-works/sleep-and-social-media

My project is on insomnia. Insomnia is something that impacts many people, but is something that often goes untreated. My goal is to portray the emotions that go into insomnia in the moment. The research I’ve conducted on insomnia shows that much like depression (which I researched for my last project), the condition presents with somatic symptoms that go beyond its emotional impact. My plan for the project is to work in pastel or watercolor.

The piece that I found relating to insomnia is a piece by an Marietou Biteye. I like its relation to time, but also the appearance of an eye glued wide open (which is sometimes how my eyes feel when trying to go to sleep, as someone who struggles with insomnia).

Source:

Roth T. (2007). Insomnia: definition, prevalence, etiology, and consequences. Journal of clinical sleep medicine : JCSM : official publication of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, 3(5 Suppl), S7–S10.

My project is inspired by the concept of photographic memory. As a person who has what many would consider to be “photographic memory”, it is easier to recall things exactly as they appeared when I viewed them. For me, this includes people that are my family or friends. Dr. Sacks writes in his book, The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat, about a patient whose art dramatically changed due not to artistic exploration, but rather “pathology.” This made me begin to contemplate the impact that a decline in memory would have on my ability to connect to the world. I decided to build upon a portrait series I had done previously of my friends that focused on specific characteristics that I associate with them. My goal was to answer this question: “when my memory declines, and I can no longer close my eyes and see you exactly as you are, what will I remember you by?” From the use of color, to the facial expression and pose, to the choice of medium itself, I was able to render my friends in a way that depicts not just their appearance, but their personality. Included in this project are two haikus that further express how I remember my friends, beyond just what can be seen in a photograph.

Sources:

The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat by Oliver Sacks

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/i-developed-what-appears-to-be-a-ph/