ÆSTHESIA
2018 - 2020
Exploring the therapeutic benefits of nature through sight, sound, scent, taste, and touch. *ÆSTHESIA exhibited as a multi-channel video, installation, and performance event.
Without plants the world as we know it would not exist. We would not exist. They are a core component to our survival. Studies have proven that when we spend 3-5 minutes simply looking at an image of nature, listening to it’s sounds, or smelling the natural aroma’s our blood pressure begins to drop, muscle tension relaxes and anxiety is alleviated.
Can experiencing specific plants on different sensory levels such as sight, sound, scent, and taste, have other psycho/physiological healing benefits? Do different plants heal us in different ways - such as the sound of Daisies, the sight of an Orchid, or the scent of a Morning Glory combined with the touch of Lavender?
This is what ÆSTHESIA explores in a full sensorial experience:
SIGHT: Videos and photos were made to capture the “world” of each plant paired with synthesized dyes informed by color therapy. Produced by Garner, Alex Jaramillo, and ephemera by Nicole Absher.
SOUND: Music is made from the electro-magnetic vibrations of each plant, recorded with a MIDI Sprout, and composed by electronic musician, ALURIA aka Juan Correa Lopez.
SCENT: Essential oils made from the extract of each plant designed by Smithsonian exhibited olfactory artist, Christopher Brosius.
TASTE: Flower based teas and/or vegan-friendly, hard-rock candies infused with each plants petals and extract made by chef Tessa Liebman.
TOUCH: Full body haptic suits with 24 sensors distributed to key pressure points throughout the body. Made from vibro-textile technology designed by Music: Not Impossible.
ART THERAPY, HEALTH & TECHNOLOGY
Rehabilitation clinic, Column Health, in Boston installed the films and audio of ÆSTHESIA into their lobby and offices for two months from September - November, 2018, as a part of their art therapy program, UNAFFILIATE.
Award winning tech company, Music: Not Impossible is an ongoing partner, providing advanced full-body haptic suits for visitors to wear at installations that stream the sounds of plants to key pressure points on the body.
EXHIBITIONS / INSTALLATIONS
In March, 2020, ÆSTHESIA will be showcasing at the Museum of Moving Image in partnership with Music: Not Impossible x Creator Network, along with a select group of international artists and engineers designing the future of sound through advanced full body haptic suits. In April, 2020, ÆSTHESIA will also be showcasing at HUE Gallery in Wichita, KA and hosting it’s very first workshop.
In 2018, ÆSTHESIA was installed for 12 weeks in rehabilitation clinic, Column Health, in Boston and exhibited in a solo exhibition in TriBeCa with Wallplay ON CANAL. In 2019, the films and soundtrack were screened at international women’s conference, Generation W, and ÆSTHESIA musician ALURIA performed live with a jasmine plant at the American Irish Historical Society.
