Choreography of the Brain janalou cruz, nadia macharia & jessica stein
s b t r a o v e ac m b o dm e t ynt
summer
rdesearch a nc e f a sh & i o id e n t i n ty
Summer Research •
Negative connotations when people first hear ‘bodies’ and ‘identity’.
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How abstract movement is not just how the body looks but how the bodies come together; relationship between the people rather than body image.
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‘Body’ by psychotherapist Susie Orbach talked about how relationships between body and self in Western Culture has changed overtime.
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We’re not fascinated by the workings of the inner body as much as the appearance.
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Mintel’s ‘Lifestyles of Children and Teens’ – UK, July 2016 Report confirms concerns about appearance is a significant part of life for girls aged 7-15, with 30% citing looking good as a top priority.
Will Kim, 2014
Ken Browar & Deborah Ory, 2016
Boodaboy, 2013
“the body is turning from being a means of production to the production itself” Susie Orbach (2009) Susie Orbach, 2009
a t l n e heal t m h l t u u r e c
t n e r r u c rch a e s rec h e m i c a l b
a n e c a l b m i a i b od y a im ge s ca ns
Mental Illnesses across Cultures •
Attitudes toward mental illness vary among individuals, families, ethnicities, cultures and countries. Cultural and religious teaching often influence belief about the the illness, and shape attitudes towards the mentally ill. (Unite for Sight, 2010)
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Many people’s problems are made worse by the stigma and discrimination they experience – from society, but also from families, friends and employers
“would they be considered mad or believed? The answer to that question might depend on whether they lived in Europe, Africa or America.” (Dr. Jonathan Leach, Open Learn) •
Our current research gave us incentive to create awareness as it shows the biological reasoning behind mental illness; this shows that patients are legitimately ill and show be treated like patients with more somatic illnesses.
1 in 4 people
will experience a mental health problem at some point in their lives Mintel, 2015
50 % of all
mental illnesses begin s by age and % begins by age 24
75
Mintel, 2015
14
Research Findings We have always thought that the primary factor that causes mental illness, especially those to do with body image and identity was environment and the media, however when one looks at the neurological aspect of it, it tells a dierent story.
Coloured MRI scan, 2011
The chemical imbalances in the brain are so distinct; anorexia nervosa is associated with changes in the noradrenergic and opioid systems, and feature high levels or cortisol, whereas bulimia nervosa showed marked alterations in serotonin and epinephrine activity. (Neurochemical Abnormalities Of Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa journal, 1998)
Eating Disorders •
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Serotonin levels are in the genetic makeup of an individual, and therefore determine our behaviour. Low levels of serotonin have been linked with depression. A factor that influences the attitude to eating behaviour is emotional states, and can help to explain abnormal eating practices, such as binge eating. (What Causes Eating Disorders, Counselling Directory, 2008) Wolff et al (2000) found that female binge eaters had more negative moods on bingeeating days than female normal eaters, suggesting that negative moods are related to abnormal eating practices.
Amanda Scherker, 2014
e r v t n i d an c ei e rw s
primary
rep search s y ch o l o g expe rt y
P
Primary Research
• Pina Bausch – she had a very specific process in which she went about creating emotions. She asked the dancers about their own experiences, childhoods, feelings in specific situations, dislikes and aspirations. From their answers, she developed gestures, little dialogues and scenes. (The Guardian, 2010)
• Interview choreographers and dancers
Les Films du Losange, 2011
Primary Research • Interview psychology professor • “What are the social and environmental causes of mental illness stemming from negative body image?” • ”What are the different behavioural characteristics of these illnesses?” • “Are there any coping mechanisms associated with these illnesses?” • “How does one recognise an illness from an outside perspective?”
e re f f i n dani f e s t m e n t a l ta t i o ns m d a n ch e a e lth n he e t a tr a u c h or i c l r o l g e o g r a ph y b ra c e m oi n ar ti o n
insights
“Dance can be defined as the movement of one or more bodies in a choreographed or improvised manner with or without accompanying sound” Karpati (2015) “Consumers are becoming obsessed with how everything makes them feel. Raised emotional awareness now pervades people’s lives.” – LSN Global (Trend Brief 2016)
Insights •
We think this topic is relevant because a lot of cultures do not recognize mental illnesses to be of the same importance as physical illnesses, and do not understand how each illness has a different manifestation. This needs to change if there is to be proper care given to mental health patients.
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It is important to remove the stigma associated with mental illnesses, and we think that showing the neurological aspect of it in an artistic way would convey the information in a medium that is easily palatable for most people.
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In terms of dance, this idea of un-choreographed choreography of the brain can be used to create performance pieces or theatrical production, and therefore adds another medium that creates awareness for mental health.
visual moodboard Alexa Meade Using body as canvas Abstract Movement
Our photoshoot – painting brain scans relating to specific illnesses on the body
Shannon Holt
She uses the body in interesting ways, often blending them in the background using paint.
Creative exploration
Bring a dull subject to life – Creating a new experience for viewers
Zines They want to challenge and re-address the way mental health is dealt with and portrayed. They create a solid community of support. Their aim is to inspire and encourage people with mental health problems. (Mental Movement, 2016)
Bethany Lamont started the zine last year and she used her Twitter to call for submissions for a mental health publication. (Dazed, 2016) It served as an outlet for her and others like her. It features poetry, comics, illustrations and essays from a range of contributors. (Vice, 2015)
Vice, 2015 Mental Movement, 2016
Design Recipe COLOUR PALETTE Bright, contrasting, derived from brain scans
TONE OF VOICE TYPOGRAPHY
Informative, youthful, friendly, artistic mood
Pale Blue Eyes AaBbCcDdEeFfGgHhIiJjKkLlMnNnOoPp QqRrSsTtUuVvWwXxYyZz Museo Sans 500 AaBbCcDdEeFfGgHhIiJjKkLlMnNnOoPp QqRrSsTtUuVvWwXxYyZz
PAPER QUALITY
Constantina folding technique embossed cover paper quality Mixture of matt and glossy imagery
Our research showed that mental illnesses have dierent neurological characteristics that can be described as choreography of the brain. For our set of photographs, we decided to paint brain scans relating to specific illness on the body. The research and exhibition can be used as a way to coordinate science and art to raise awareness for mental illness.
SU
Y R A MM