Description
Edition: #26-31/100
This workshop series is individualised and editioned in relation to participants or participating groups. If you are interested in this work please contact me [ info[at]antonyhall.net ] to discuss options.
Workshop cost includes box set resource [images coming soon]
Date: 2021 TBC
Location: Rouge Artist studios / Manchester
This artwork takes the form of a small group workshop for up to 5 people lasting 1.5 hours [for 1-1 version follow this link] Participants receive a certificate of authenticity as proof of participation.
Expanded documentation: A set of prints will be created from this workshop which are only available to participants. Each print is identified in relation to the participant’s unique number [#26-#31] and is related tho their own workshop experience.
Description:
You are the object of your own observation is a re/performance of Giovani Caputo’s Mirror Gaze experiment. He found that when participants stared at their own reflection in a nearly darkened they often experienced powerful illusions of facial distortion, grossly exaggerated features, faces of animals, flowing cascades of illusory effects which can elicit powerful emotional responses. During the workshop, you will be guided through a number of ‘actions’ warm-up activities to prepare our visual field and minds for the experience. Towards the end of the workshop, we will discuss or experience, and how these relate to the questionnaire results and explanation of the science and historical context of mirror-gazing and perceptual hallucination more widely.
Background:
Mystic and spiritual references to the mirror as a kind of portal to the spirit world go far back into antiquity. Evidence suggests that early divinatory mirrors may have been created using ceremonial bowls of liquid, wine or blood from sacrificial animals, or the surface of a polished stone. These may have been used in dark temple-like spaces [Psychomanteums] as a means to communicate with the spirit world. These dark possibly imperfect surfaces may have afforded the user opportunities to make mystic reinterpretations of the reflected image. The magician and astrologer John Dee used a ‘black spirit mirror’ for his research into the occult, and is said to have had a room dedicated entirely to the act of mirror gazing. It is possible that these practitioners may have unknowingly experienced the ‘strange face illusion’ and it is perhaps hardly surprising that they thought of the mirror as a gateway into another world.
What will happen?
During the workshop, you will be guided through a number of ‘actions’ warm-up activities to prepare our visual field and minds for the experience. Everyone’s experience is different and there is a small chance that you may not experience these kinds of illusions to the same degree as others.
– Before signing up please be aware that during the workshop there will be a and activity experience in near darkness. While this can be deeply relaxing it can also be challenging for some so please be aware of this before you sign up.
Before the workshop:
you will be required to complete a short online questionnaire 10 mins.
– Please try to arrive 15 mins early.
The workshop will start at 20.00 and finish at 21.00
Refreshments tea/coffee/ will be provided.
After the workshop:
-You will be able to download personalised drawing as a document of the workshop as well as a and a digital certificate as proof of your participation in this artwork.
Location: Rogue Artists Studios [https://rastudios.co.uk/]
Accessibility: Contact me to discuss any requirements.
info@antonyhall.net
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