Somatosensation
For individuals with developmental disabilities and psychological disorders, life can be quite different, as the way they perceive the world is not the same as others. They are often more sensitive to sights, sounds, smells, and tastes and can be easily upset or negatively affected by the things they consider unpleasant. Their sense of touch is also different from that of a typical person. With this in mind, I want to create an installation that will be welcoming for those with different and more heightened sensory perceptions. By utilizing only natural fabrics and dyestuffs in neutral colors, I hope to create a space that is comfortable, peaceful, and serene.
The following is a proposal for a large-scale fabric installation to be displayed in the SCAD Museum of Art Experimental Gallery in Savannah, Georgia. This piece is meant to create a calming, safe space for individuals with various psychological, emotional, and developmental disorders. This will be accomplished through carefully selected colors and materials with special attention paid to the atmosphere of the room.
Project Description:
The piece will be a three-sided structure made of strips of fabric hanging on a square frame suspended from the ceiling. The viewer will be able to enter the structure from the open side or through any of the three “curtains.” They can choose to either face one of the curtains, ignoring the rest of the room, or keep their back to a curtain and look out into the room while still feeling safe.
Because the structure’s walls are made of strips of fabric instead of a solid material, it creates an airy feeling and moves based on how the viewer interacts with the piece. The strips of fabric reach the floor, allowing someone to sit or stand based on their comfort level. This also ensures that people of any age can find solace within the walls. They can touch the walls and the walls will react. They can hug the curtains, weave their hands or bodies through them, drape them over their bodies, or whatever else makes the viewer comfortable and happy. If they want to exit from the space through the curtains, this is also possible, making the piece even more interactive.
Specs:
Dimensions: 10’ wide, 10’ long, 12’ tall (from top of frame to bottom of fabric)
Hanging instructions: The frame should be suspended from the ceiling using clear fishing line or a similar material. The piece should be centered in the room, ensuring that the viewers can access it from all sides. The frame should be at a height where the bottom of the fabric just brushes the floor.
Lighting: The entire room should be lit softly, but not so dark that it is hard to see. The viewer should be able to walk directly into the room without having to wait for their eyes to adjust to the lighting. The entrance should be lit in a similar fashion, welcoming people into the room. Anything to dark or too bright can be uncomfortable and frightening to individuals with certain developmental or psychological disorders.
Budget:
Below are the items needed to complete the fabric installation. All equipment needed to dye materials and create the installation are already in possession of the artist and are therefore not in the budget.
Material sources:
Fabric: Fabrika Fine Fabrics, Savannah, GA
Powdered Dyestuffs: Botanical Colors (botanicalcolors.com)
Copper piping: Home Depot
All other items for dyeing will be purchased or collected by the artist (onion skins, coffee grounds, etc.)
