GMU:Spacial Information Lab/Angelica Sohn

Spatial Information Lab

Concept

For my free project Hic et Nunc, I am exploring the theme of communication and perception due to microcosms and macrocosms. In short, each individual lives with two universes: the brain in which a chemical, biological, and electrical activities control our behavior and the surrounding universe in which they constantly receive perceptual (visual and auditory) cues.

For this course, I would like to pursue a derivative of the aforementioned concept. Each movement we make is made up of many small movements, but we often fail to notice how many complex motions have to work correctly to visually communicate our message. In a sense, body langauge itself is a language, and motion without recognizable elements creates a unique identity. Therefore, the work will be presented in a video, in which the contrast of the small and big movements will be separated. Each participant will convey specific emotions or movements according to the direction. The individual movements from the bigger gesture, ie. individual muscular movements, facial muscles, shoulders, twitching, will be grouped and shown all together to present our unspoken and subconsciously understood language. Then, the whole movement will be shown, displaying the complex process of using many different body parts to convey what we thought to be one emotion.

Capturing the moment things break down is also an interesting observation to add to the list of actions.

Designated actions

sitting still

standing still

stomping

singing

talking (repetition of certain words)

smiling/laughing

display of emotions through body language