UnIdentical process book by Quantine

Nischal Gurung

THE PROCESS Connection Research

Visual experiment Research

Individual identity - Identical twins Research - Book, research paper Interviews Visual experiments Identical portraits Emotion expression Outcome Further development visual

Evaluation

You are connected

http://www.corpuscoli.com/projects/you-are-connected/ What defines and depicts a human being, emotionally and formally, as an individual and as a social creature, nowadays? The post-modern world of the 21st century internet age, has been offering people the opportunity to come closer to each other virtually, while distancing themselves physically and personally, more than ever before. Nevertheless this is helping human beings realising that we are all connected. This phenomenon is clearly manifesting itself through the wellknown open-source movements, which seek collaborative participation for developing ideas and results, through the act of co-creation and through the use of modern manufacturing technologies. The inner subjective identity and the self-perception of post-modern human beings is no longer based on traditional values, as family or work, but defined by their interests and instincts which, often cultivated anonymously through the internet, outline our subjective experiences and turn them into valuable sources for considerable groups of like-minded people.

Connection

Visual experiments

Resource: http://courses.washington.edu/psych333/handouts/coursepack/ch05-Signalling_in_neurons.pdf

Information typography in Human nature

Snapshots of a live lightning travelling from one to another. This glimpse of travelling lightning was inspired from travelling information as a electrical impulses in nerves of a human body. Possible ideas could be typography travelling as lightning form and disappearing communicating a problem. For example; Climate change, any other human effect done to the nature.

Experimenting typography letters on veins, this type could incorporate messages inside, flowing messages how red blood cells transmit blood from one to another.

Could electric impulses in our nerves generate sounds when sending information from the brain to a part of the body?

Putting your brain waves on display makes for intimate, engrossing artwork. Source: http://www.thelisapark.com/#/eunoia-ii/

How it is done? Using the emotional values (data) picked up by the Emotiv EPOC headset, which then gets translated into sound waves that create vibrations in the pools of water placed atop speakers. The Emotiv headset continually transmits data while monitoring my brain activity (alpha, beta, delta, gamma, theta), emotional states (excitement, engagement, meditation, frustration), facial expressions (wink, raised or furrowed eyebrows, clenched jaw, smirk), and cognitive activity.

Further research to be conducted.. Sounds impulses created when transmitting information How does the sound or electrical impulse react when feeling certain type of emotion (change in speed)? This theme had to be dis-continued here because of the limited resources that were available regarding the questions above. However while I was carrying out research for these questions, it led me to a ted-talk done by a neuroscientist talking about connections between the brains neurons, how our personal identity, memories, disorder are encoded in those wirings of the brain. This research led me to my next theme.

A connectome is a map of connections between a brain’s neurons. In addition to this neuronal definition, there are other meanings of “connectome” that substitute brain regions or neuron types for neurons. The regional connectome is the one currently being mapped by the Human Connectome Project using MRI. A neuronal connectome is far more complex: yours contains a million times more connections than your genome has letters. Finding the complete neuronal connectome of a human brain is one of the greatest scientific and technological challenges of all time. The term “connectome” was coined in 2005. You are your connectome. This expresses the idea that your personal identity is encoded in the pattern of connections between your neurons. If this hypothesis is true, then any kind of personal change is ultimately about changing your connectome. The bold and thrilling quest to finally understand the brain We know that each of us is unique, but science has struggled to pinpoint where, precisely, our uniqueness resides. Is it in our genes? The structure of our brains? Our genome may determine our eye color and even aspects of our personality. But our friendships, failures, and passions also shape who we are. The question is: how? Sebastian Seung, a dynamic professor at MIT, is on a quest to discover the biological basis of identity. He believes it lies in the pattern of connections between the brain’s neurons, which change slowly over time as we learn and grow. The connectome, as it’s called, is where our genetic inheritance intersects with our life experience. It’s where nature meets nurture. Seung introduces us to the dedicated researchers who are mapping the brain’s connections, neuron by neuron, synapse by synapse. It is a monumental undertaking—the scientific equivalent of climbing Mount Everest—but if they succeed, it could reveal the basis of personality, intelligence, memory, and perhaps even mental disorders. Many scientists speculate that people with anorexia, autism, and schizophrenia are “wired differently,” but nobody knows for sure. The brain’s wiring has never been clearly seen. In sparklingly clear prose, Seung reveals the amazing technological advances that will soon help us map connectomes. He also examines the evidence that these maps will someday allow humans to “upload” their minds into computers, achieving a kind of immortality. Source: connectomethebook.com

Identity of Identical twins

Personal identity is the concept you develop about yourself that evolves over the course of your life. This may include aspects of your life that you have no control over, such as where you grew up or the colour of your skin, as well as choices you make in life, such as how you spend your time and what you believe.

Identity for twins are socially produced and embedded. Twins are born with an identity, we are expected to fill in the norm society have developed for us. You guys are guys the same anyway right, just share” “Who is the better one” “You guys are so different” “Double trouble” “I can’t recognise who is who so I will just call you twins”

Research paper: An exploration of the effects of Birth order on identity

Tests are done to find differentiations between the twins but doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t seem to affect the stereotype of twins. People find the differentiations but will forget that twins have differentiations.

Research paper: An exploration of the effects of Birth order on identity

Twins in society; Kate Bacon

Interviews Next part includes interviews I have conducted with identical twins. They are all 21 years and older with different nationalities and living in different locations. The reason I have picked 21+ age participants because by that age people will have a clear idea of what and who they are as an individual, their strong beliefs and their own voice. They will be able to stand on their feet and make independent decisions.

Name: Hannah Cook Age: 22 NG: How often do you and your twin spend time together? HC: I actually spend very little time with my twin. I live down in Plymouth now and she lives all the way up in Manchester, so seeing each other regularly is almost impossible. The only real time I see her is over the Christmas and Summer Holidays. When we do spend time together it tends to be within the company of our friends or family. NG: Do you have the same the same social circle (friends, interests)? HC: Yes, we do have the same circle of friends while at home. We have known our friends since we were very young and have always remained very close with them. My sister and I do enjoy some of the same activities, with both really enjoying going out with our friends and both have a real love for shopping. Although, we virtually never do these activities with just each other, it will always be within the company of other friends. I really enjoy art and music, whereas my sister hasn’t got much of an interest in that. I tend to go out more as I get restless when doing nothing or on my own, and prefer the company of large groups. Whereas, Beth is slightly more introverted and I feel she gets lost a bit in a large group as she feels a bit more insecure. So Beth prefers one on one interactions, and isn’t one for large groups. NG: What is it longest period of time you have apart? HC: The longest time we have spent apart is while at University. As we have always been quite far apart from each other and we don’t tend to visit each other much. Therefore, we just wait until we are back at home in Swansea to see each other. So usually we go whole school terms without seeing each other. NG: How often do you communicate to each other? HC: My sister and I used to remain in very close contact with each other. While living at home we would spend a lot of time talking to each other and would text when one of us was out of the house. However, we grew apart quite a bit at the end of sixth form and even more so when at university. Over the last three years our communication has been very little. I would roughly say we communicate with each other once a month. However, it is always by text, very rarely over the phone, and when home we have very small chit chats, which tend to escalate to arguments quite a bit. NG: People view identical twins as one rather than individuals, they treat you both as one person. How do you feel about this? HC: When I was younger I really enjoyed being identified as being a twin, as it made me feel unique and special in some kind of way. However, as we have got older we have become very different and now like being identified as my own person. As much as I love being a twin and love my sister, I no longer like being viewed as ‘just a twin’ as people don’t really see the real me. That is why I have really loved coming to University not being known as a twin, as people do not have preconceptions about me regarding my sister’s behaviors and beliefs. NG: and do you think this has its benefit and disadvantages? 70

HC: One advantage is that my sister is a lovely person, so if I haven’t met someone before but she has, they usually automatically like me as they believe we will be the same. However, I think that there are more disadvantages than advantages. For example, if either of us has a falling out with a friend or family member they will also project that on to me or her. Also, just the overall tendency to think of us being the same person, who will have the same beliefs and morals, where in actual fact we are very different. NG: Having spent almost all your lives together, has this made you 100% dependent on one another? HC: When we were younger we definitely did, even though I don’t think Beth will agree with that. We would never enter Primary school unless we were right next to each other and when shopping with our Mother I would rely on her more than my mum. I preferred to play outside with her more than our friends as we understood each other a lot better and had the same interests at this point. It would get to the point where I would stay home from school when my sister was ill as I didn’t enjoy it without her. Particularly in our younger Primary School years, we didn’t tend to interact with others, besides one friend we both shared. This made going to Comprehensive school difficult, I found that people viewed us as a duo rather than two people, so we had to become more independent. It was really forced upon us. However, as soon we branched out from one another, made some different friends and our own styles we really lost that connection we previously had. Almost like we had lost some type of bond as were no longer seen as ‘just twins’, and consequently don’t act like it. NG: Do you feel that you are not able to express yourself fully without your twin? HC: I used to when I was 10/15 years and younger. However, I would say between me and my sister I am the more extrovert one. I know my sister would not ever admit to this, but she would rely on me occasionally to speak up for her if she felt she was being treated badly by someone. She would look to me to come speak out for her on her behalf. Now when my sister and I are home we tend to clash quite a bit, so when expressing how we feel about something we will be on opposite ends of the argument. NG: How do you feel when both of you are only recognised as twins but not as own personal self? HC: I now really dislike being viewed as ‘just a twin’. Almost like once they know one of us people automatically know the other. We are very different and I think people need to recognize our differences as being our personal self. However, I do sometimes feel proud to be a twin, as it is something different and something we both share. NG: Although having these unique benefits of twins, have you ever questioned yourself ‘Who am I’? Have you had trouble trying to figure out who you really are as an individual? If yes, please explain why. HC: Yes, looking back on it now I didn’t realized how much I looked at my sister to understand who I was. I always thought ‘well we have 100% identical genes so we have to be the same’. It’s difficult to try and understand who you are when you get treated from a very young age to be the same person. My mother always used to dress us up the same, we did all the same after school activities, same circle of friends and really were seen within the family as the same person. All Christmas and birthday presents would be identical, we got spoken to in the same way. I don’t think it was until we went to University that my family really got to understand and observe the differences between us. For example, we did two very different courses, have different friendship groups, and got involved in different societies. Now when I go back home it is always mentioned to me how much I have changed. My family realize that they now have to deal with us as two separate individuals, rather than just their twin daughters.

NG: How important do you think it is to create your own identity than both knowing as one? Please explain why. HC: I have loved coming to University and having the opportunity to create a whole new identity independent of my twin. These last three years I think I have really changed. I am far more confident, dress the way I like to dress and feel like I have learnt so much more about myself now that I am no longer relying on my twin. It was really difficult at the beginning as I wasn’t used to not having my sister around, and almost didn’t know how to interact and behave around people as I don’t think I really knew myself and relied upon always having her there for support. I think I had to become dependent from my twin to really learn and understand how I was as a person, as I myself used to think me and my sister were basically the same person, and have now learnt that is no longer the case. We are actually two very different individuals, with very different behaviours and interests. The only real similarity I believe myself and my sister to have is that we look the same besides that we are completely different individuals. NG: Would you like to add anything to end this interview? HC: I think being a twin makes it more difficult for the individual to understand their own personal self. We get dressed the same and pushed towards doing the same thing, so it’s tricky to get a grasp of your own unique personality. I strongly believe that twins should be treated from a young age as two very separate individuals with their own minds and personalities. Once I was finally independent of my sister it was quite overwhelming, as I had always had her by my side and now have to almost find and discover myself. However, now that I have done that I have found a new love and appreciation for myself, and discovered new qualities and likes that was unknown to me before. Basically, I found that being a twin just stalls you in understanding who you are. However, I do not regret the longer length of time it has taken to me understand and find myself, as I have a twin sister who I do love and I wouldn’t change that. Hope this helps you with you project! Hope I have answered your questions how you wanted. If you need any further information or anything do not hesitate to ask. Good luck with you work.

Name: Beth Rose Cook Age: 22 NG: How often do you and your twin spend time together? BC: Very little since started university – only when home in holidays NG: Do you have the same the same social circle (friends, interests)? BC: Yes! Although, particular friends we have a different closeness to NG: What is it longest period of time you have apart? BC: 6-8 months NG: How often do you communicate to each other? BC: Very little directly however, both in the same whatsapp group. The older we have gotten, the less time we spend together NG: People view identical twins as one rather than individuals, they treat you both as one person. How do you feel about this? BC: I dislike being viewed as a unit, rather than two separate individuals ultimately because I hate being compared to my twin. NG: and do you think this has its benefit and disadvantages? BC: I don’t really know/feel any benefits to being viewed as one rather than two separate individuals however, there are definitely disadvantages. For example, people being shocked when you have differing styles, views or opinions and being called ‘twins’ rather than your own name. NG: Having spent almost all your lives together, has this made you 100% dependent on one another? BC: Yes! It has in some ways however only noticed this dependence when moved away for university. It was weird meeting new people who didn’t know I was a twin, and I found myself trying to hide the fact I was. It was liberating not being called twinny and having that constant comparison. NG: Do you feel that you are not able to express yourself fully without your twin? BC: No – the opposite. I can express myself much more without my twin NG: How do you feel when both of you are only recognised as twins but not as own personal self? BC: As a child I enjoyed being recognized as twin – felt special and unique however when older it began to really grate on me. Began to become annoying NG: Although having these unique benefits of twins, have you ever questioned yourself ‘Who am I’? Have you had trouble trying to figure out who you really are as an individual? If yes, please explain why. BC: Yes! But that quickly ended when we got our mother to accept we didn’t want to dress the same anymore – I began dressy more tom-boy-like, whereas my sister was girlier. NG: How important do you think it is to create your own identity than both knowing as one? Please explain why. BC: I think it is very important to create your own identity! I feel that if twins cling to a shared identity, it will ultimately hold them back creatively, professionally and socially. It is already incredibly difficult to succeed in life, depending on what you recognize as a success of course. For my sister and I, we have very different aims in what we wish to achieve in life meaning, we have to act differently in order to achieve those aims.

Name: Melissa Temple Age: 20 NG: How often do you and your twin spend time together? MT: We are at separate universities, but during vacations we are with each other every day, we tend to do work/relax in the same room 90% of the time. NG: Do you have the same the same social circle (friends, interests)? MT: Yes, we share friends at home and have similar interests but not identical hobbies. NG: What is it longest period of time you have apart? MT: 12 weeks NG: How often do you communicate to each other? MT: At least once a week, on average. NG: People view identical twins as one rather than individuals, they treat you both as one person. How do you feel about this? MT: It’s not right but it is something that happens. Sometimes it annoys me but it doesn’t bother me massively. NG: Do you think this has its benefit and disadvantages? MT: Yes; its good in an uncomfortable situation – I like to be seen as one because it would make me feel less alone/uncomfortable. However I don’t like it when it is assumed that we will share something, or that we will both have the same response to a question that only one of us is asked. NG: Having spent almost all your lives together, has this made you 100% dependent on one another? MT: No. Being apart was strange at first but I’ve gotten used to it. I still value her opinion more than anyone else’s but I still make my own decisions. NG: Do you feel that you are not able to express yourself fully without your twin? MT: No, I am fully able to do so when alone. However I do often feel more confident when with my twin, because I have someone there who will always understand what I am trying to express. NG: How do you feel when both of you are only recognised as twins but not as own personal self? MT: It doesn’t happen anymore really, but as I’ve gotten older and we’ve become more different (due to being at different universities) it does annoy me when it does happen. NG: Although having these unique benefits of twins, have you ever questioned yourself ‘Who am I’? Have you had trouble trying to figure out who you really are as an individual? If yes, please explain why. MT: No. NG: How important do you think it is to create your own identity than both knowing as one? Please explain why. MT: I think it is important, as it is draining to be in constant competition/trying to be someone who you are not. NG: Would you like to add anything to end this interview? MT: I love being a twin – there are very few disadvantages in comparison to advantages. It’s never caused me any problems/I’ve never struggled with my own identity as a result of it. I feel that being a twin has made me a more competitive/driven and motivated person. 72

Name: Danielle Temple

Name: Rebecca Livingstone

Age: 20

Age: 21

NG: How often do you and your twin spend time together? DT: We go to different unis so about half the year – when we’re at home for the holidays we spend almost everyday together. NG: Do you have the same the same social circle (friends, interests)? DT: Yes! We share almost all of our friends from our home town, but we have separate friends at uni. NG: What is it longest period of time you have apart? DT: About 3 months NG: How often do you communicate to each other? DT: We normally speak to each other about once a week, texting or on facebook. Sometimes we don’t speak for a few weeks if we’re both busy. NG: People view identical twins as one rather than individuals, they treat you both as one person. How do you feel about this? Sometimes it is nice to be treated as the same person because it means you have less responsibility. It can be annoying when we want different things but most of the time we want quite similar things so it’s not a problem. NG: and do you think this has its benefit and disadvantages? DT: Yes there are both good and bad things about it – I think because I am the younger twin I am most likely to be overshadowed and lose my identity when we are treated as the same person. NG: Having spent almost all your lives together, has this made you 100% dependent on one another? DT: Not 100% dependent but I couldn’t imagine life without her – I think we’re very close although a little less so now we are at separate universities. I don’t depend on her but she’s my best friend. NG: Do you feel that you are not able to express yourself fully without your twin? DT: No…I think when my twin first went to uni and I was left at home I felt lost because we had always been treated as the same person. But now I have been living at uni by myself for two years I find that it’s the opposite – sometimes when I am with her I feel like I can’t be myself or say everything I am thinking because we are not as similar any more. NG: How do you feel when both of you are only recognised as twins but not as own personal self? DT: Now that I have my own individual life at uni the idea of being recongised as twins is more of a novelty – it happens less often so when it does happen I really quite like it because it reminds me of when we were younger and very close. NG: Although having these unique benefits of twins, have you ever questioned yourself ‘Who am I’? Have you had trouble trying to figure out who you really are as an individual? If yes, please explain why. DT: I don’t think so. I’ve always known we were different people – when we were younger I used to do/try things just because my twin wanted to but I quickly discovered if I didn’t like them. I have always been able to differentiate between our traits even though I am the younger twin. NG: How important do you think it is to create your own identity than both knowing as one? Please explain why. DT: I think it’s very important because twins can’t be together forever! Everyone is an individual and thinking of you and your twin as being the same person creates a stressful sense of competition and comparison which isn’t good for anyone.

NG: How often do you and your twin spend time together? RL: Every few months NG: Do you have the same the same social circle (friends, interests)? RL: In high school and sixth form we did but we now only share a few friends NG: What is it longest period of time you have apart? RL: 6 months NG: How often do you communicate to each other? RL: Everyday or every couple of days NG: People view identical twins as one rather than individuals, they treat you both as one person. How do you feel about this? RL: I think that people are fascinated by twins and assume that because we have spent out whole life together we are the same person which I have no issue with but it is nice when someone recognizes that you are an individual and not a package deal. NG: and do you think this has its benefit and disadvantages? RL: It is fine being referred to as ‘twin/s’ because I am but that does not mean that I am my twin, I cant and don’t share the same interests and hobbies as her and therefore I cant pretend to in order to fit in. An advanyage is that people are curious and I enjoy answering questions about being a twin and informing people that we are completely different in some areas of our lives. NG: Having spent almost all your lives together, has this made you 100% dependent on one another? RL: I think when we were younger we were 100%dependent on each other but as we got older we asked to be put in separate classes that we could grow and discover ourselves as individuals and I think it was the best thing we ever done. We still depend on each other but not as near enough as we use too. I am able to go to concerts and other countries by myself without the need to be with her or contact her, although there are times when i will depend on her for things I am not confident enough to do whether that is going to get my eyebbrows ot my hair cut, I depend on her to come with me because I don’t like doing them things by myself and there are things she depends on me for- I think we depend on each other for company mostly. NG: Do you feel that you are not able to express yourself fully without your twin? RL: I think being a twin is a big part of who I am and has of course influenced my personality and outlook on life. However I am very able of expressing myself independently of my twin, but when I am back home we do tend to complement each other and use each other to express ourselves. NG: How do you feel when both of you are only recognised as twins but not as own personal self? RL: It doesn’t bother me much, I think we have grown use to it. But it can at times be irritating. Close friends and family know that we are very different but when meeting new people and creating new friendships it takes a while for people to realise we are independent of each other and I don’t mind waiting for them to realise this, it is interesting to see how they eventually talk about how different we are and how when they first met us they thought we were the same but their opinion has changed. NG: Although having these unique benefits of twins, have you ever questioned yourself ‘Who am I’? Have you had trouble trying to figure out who you really are as an individual? If yes, please explain why. RL: Definitely, people who are not twins ask themselves about who they are but I think it is harder for twins because we have to first discover who we are independently of our twin and then discover who we are as an individual. But I don’t think I could

Name: Gillian Livingstone Age: 21 NG: How often do you and your twin spend time together? GL: She studies in Scotland so only see her when she comes down for Christmas and a few other holidays. But when she is down we spend most of our time together. NG: Do you have the same the same social circle (friends, interests)? GL: We have a group of friends that we went to school with that we both spend time with but we also have separate groups of friends that we socialise alone with. NG: What is it longest period of time you have apart? GL: Roughly 5 months NG: How often do you communicate to each other? GL: Not at all because I’m in London and she’s in Scotland. NG: People view identical twins as one rather than individuals, they treat you both as one person. How do you feel about this? GL: I have mixed feelings. It is understandable because we are twins. But I do get frustrated because I’m my own person and don’t want to constantly be referred to like were one person. NG: and do you think this has its benefit and disadvantages? GL: Definitely got its benefits, have got a few drinks out of being twins, people instantly like us and are fascinated when I say I’m a twin which is nice I like to talk about being a twin, not that I think its any different to not being a twin. Disadvantages are that we are considered one person so constantly compared to each other and it can cause a few upsets. NG: Having spent almost all your lives together, has this made you 100% dependent on one another? GL: It did up until we had to leave to go to uni on different sides of the country, I struggled to adjust to being alone, walking to the shop by myself was a struggle I felt insecure without her by my side. However the 4 years a part have made me grow more confident as an individual and I’m not dependent on her like I was before (she’s older). NG: Do you feel that you are not able to express yourself fully without your twin? GL: I think that I’m more comfortable with myself when she’s there. I’m able to express myself a lot better with her. NG: How do you feel when both of you are only recognised as twins but not as own personal self? GL: Frustrated but can’t expect anything else because we are sort of one person. NG: Although having these unique benefits of twins, have you ever questioned yourself ‘Who am I’? Have you had trouble trying to figure out who you really are as an individual? If yes, please explain why. GL: No I haven’t. NG: How important do you think it is to create your own identity than both knowing as one? Please explain why. GL: Very important. You need to be able to express yourself as an individual and not rely on your twin to be part of your identity. My sister and me are both very different but very similar because we were never the type of twins to want to wear the same clothes, we wanted to be individuals from a young age and create ourselves separately.

ever see myself without being a twin, because part of who I am is being a twin and being a sister and so on. But I don’t think anyone ever fully discovers who they are but I am happy at identify myself as being one half of another person and I am fulfilled by that. NG: How important do you think it is to create your own identity than both knowing as one? Please explain why. RL: It is very important, I think in order to grow and evolve as a person you need to create and discover who you are by yourself and not with what your twin thinks is who you are. I also think it is important for people to be aware of these differences and for us as twins to make them aware of these differences. NG: Would you like to add anything to end this interview? RL: I think being a twin is the best thing in the world, and people should be jealous of the relationship twins have, I think it is a bond that is never broken, I see clips of twins being separated at birth and when reunited show similar characteristics and interests, which just goes to show the power of the bond that is created in the womb. Being a twin is an incredible thing to say I am and my twin is my best friend and it is an incredible friendship to have.

Name: Jasmine Foong Age: 22 NG: How often do you and your twin spend time together? JF: We spend a lot of time together when we are home from our separate universities. Now that we are both in our final year this is about every 2 months or so. NG: Do you have the same the same social circle (friends, interests)? JF: We have the same interests and have the same close friends from home, which stemmed from primary school where we both attended and made the same friends. Now we are at different universities we have our own circles of friends. I would say on the whole we have the same interests. NG: What is it longest period of time you have apart? JF: Approximately 5 months, this was due to myself moving to London as part of an industrial placement and I did not have the same amount of times off so we could see each other, i.e. academic holidays. NG: How often do you communicate to each other? JF: Every day. Every other day at most if things get busy. Even if it’s only one text. NG: People view identical twins as one rather than individuals, they treat you both as one person. How do you feel about this? JF: I feel as though we are ‘one’ in that I feel we are indeed very connected and similar. However I despite this I want to be respected as an individual. I think for people who know both of us, they would agree we are very connected and similar but can also acknowledge that we are different and individual, even if they can’t immediately recognise what our unique attributes are, though most can. NG: and do you think this has its benefit and disadvantages? The main benefit is having someone who understands most of your feelings and the comfort of knowing there is someone who will be undergoing the same experiences as you. Never feeling alone. The main disadvantage of being considered as one is that when people notice differences between us, there are ultimately comparisons and assumptions. They tend to associate one twin as the ‘good’ or ‘bad’, when this isn’t the case. Being different from each other is not being a deviant. NG: Having spent almost all your lives together, has this made you 100% dependent on one another? JF: No, we have spent the most of the last four years apart and I feel that the only dependency we have an each other is emotional support when we need it. NG: Do you feel that you are not able to express yourself fully without your twin? JF: No. As mentioned before, we have lived apart for the past four years where we have grown as individuals. NG: How do you feel when both of you are only recognised as twins but not as own personal self? JF: If people don’t take the time to learn about you as an individual, whether or not you are a twin, I don’t feel they are worth getting to know either. So it doesn’t

really bother me. NG: Although having these unique benefits of twins, have you ever questioned yourself ‘Who am I’? Have you had trouble trying to figure out who you really are as an individual? If yes, please explain why. JF: No. I think most of the personal identity questions I ask myself regard who I will be and where I am going in the future, not about how am I different from my sister. NG: How important do you think it is to create your own identity than both knowing as one? Please explain why. JF: It is incredibly important because as you grow out of childhood, there are fewer and fewer situations where you can rely on each other for advice and support. Each twin needs to be able to stand on their own two feet, which is found by determining your own identity. However I feel twins should always embrace their similarities Name: Leila Foong Age: 22 NG: How often do you and your twin spend time together? LF: We go to different universities (AUB and Nottingham Trent), so for the past three years we don’t see each other on a daily basis during term time. We generally have a lot of the same friends back at home though, so we spend a lot more time together during the summer. NG: Do you have the same the same social circle (friends, interests)? LF: Yes, up until college (during A-levels, around age 17-18) and when we both started part-time jobs. We have the same interests and took the same subjects in school so a lot of our friends knew both of us. It’s different now that we’re doing different subjects at university and live in different towns. NG: What is it longest period of time you have apart? LF: We spend term time apart from each other. So between the Christmas and Easter breaks, it’s about three months. My sister did a placement last year though, where she didn’t have the same holiday time, so that was a bit longer. NG: How often do you communicate to each other? LF: Pretty much every day, even if it’s just a text. NG: People view identical twins as one rather than individuals, they treat you both as one person. How do you feel about this? LF: I’ve never been particularly bothered about being a twin because I always say it’s simply like having another sister who just happens to be the same age – I have three sisters in total, including my twin. My siblings and I all have similar interests, which makes us closer. Personally, I’ve never made a conscious effort to really differentiate myself from my twin in that area. I think the people who know both of us would say we’re very similar and can tell we’re very close, which I’m proud of, but they also realize that we’re different in ways that are hard to define. Although we have similar interests, I think we have different sensibilities. NG: and do you think this has its benefit and disadvantages? LF: The ultimate difference between my twin and my other two sisters is that we go through the same life experiences around the same time, and that is the main advantage because we can both relate to what each of us is going through for the most part. The disadvantage is comparisons are almost inevitable. Comparisons are fine, but there is also a tendency to try and pit us against each other and I don’t feel the need to compete with my sister. NG: Having spent almost all your lives together, has this made you 100% dependent on one another? LF: No. We’ve gone different ways and lived apart for the past four years. NG: Do you feel that you are not able to express yourself fully 75

without your twin? LF: Not at all. Since secondary school, we have both grown as individuals separate from each other. Being a twin isn’t the first thing I mention to new people but it isn’t a fact I hide either. NG: How do you feel when both of you are only recognised as twins but not as own personal self? LF: It’s been different since going to university because people have gotten to know us individually without having ever met the other twin or realizing immediately that we’re twins. So if people were to see us as one entity nowadays, it could be frustrating. But on the other hand, I wouldn’t really care about what someone thought if they haven’t taken the time to get to know me as an individual because I probably don’t feel close to them either. NG: Although having these unique benefits of twins, have you ever questioned yourself ‘Who am I’? Have you had trouble trying to figure out who you really are as an individual? If yes, please explain why. LF: Whenever I’ve had this feeling or asked myself that questions it hasn’t ever been in relation to me being a twin. It has always had more to do with the choices I’m making about my own future. NG: How important do you think it is to create your own identity than both knowing as one? Please explain why. LF: It’s very important to be able to understand yourself as an individual, regardless if you have a twin. But part of my identity is that I am a twin, and I think it’s something that both me and my sister embrace.

Name: Piers Garmiani

Name: Rawaz Alan Garmiani

Age: 21

NG: People view identical twins as one rather than individuals, they treat you both as one person. How do you feel about this? PG: Yes, I agree some people do think we are one because they think we are the same then we have same personality too. NG: and do you think this has its benefit and disadvantages? PG: It is more of a disadvantage because let’s say one of us did something bad then that would give another twin a bad image too. Benefit would be great for socializing, can do a duo act, always turn out be funny. NG: Having spent almost all your lives together, has this made you 100% dependent on one another? PG: We are both quite independent even though our friendship base is shared. We still have our own independent freedom outside of our shared friendship. We live in the same house but still we function separately and we do our own things. NG: Do you feel that you are not able to express yourself fully without your twin? PG: No, no issues. NG: How do you feel when both of you are only recognised as twins but not as own personal self? PG: It frustrates me mostly because of their ignorance but it’s calm after they realize or if they don’t I tell them. NG: Although having these unique benefits of twins, have you ever questioned yourself ‘Who am I’? Have you had trouble trying to figure out who you really are as an individual? If yes, please explain why. PG: Well I know my personal identity in life and I have personal issues that relate to me so with that being said, I think that contributes to me being my personal identity with purpose, which in turn makes me an individual. But I have found that I am who I am and I am separate from any other including my twin, even though our paths are similar. NG: How important do you think it is to create your own identity than both knowing as one? Please explain why. PG: I actually think it’s not that important because I know these twin girls at university and they are literally the same people, same interests, style, expressions. It’s funny and its unique to them and it’s cute so why not. Doesn’t matter if they want to be separate twins or twins with unique shared personas.

NG: How often do you and your twin spend time together? RG: We live with each other and study at the same uni with similar degrees which means constantly. NG: Do you have the same the same social circle (friends, interests)? RG: Yes, both members of the same societies NG: What is it longest period of time you have apart? RG: Whenever we go to different countries so it varies between days and weeks NG: How often do you communicate to each other? RG: We live together so most of the time. NG: People view identical twins as one rather than individuals, they treat you both as one person. How do you feel about this? RG: Not really, that’s down to how you carry yourself around other people. NG: and do you think this has its benefit and disadvantages? RG: It can have many benefits. The only disadvantage could be a case of mistaken identity. NG: Having spent almost all your lives together, has this made you 100% dependent on one another? RG: No. NG: Do you feel that you are not able to express yourself fully without your twin? RG: No not at all. NG: How do you feel when both of you are only recognised as twins but not as own personal self? RG: I feel fine, it’s not that deep. If anything- at least we’re rare and unique. NG: Although having these unique benefits of twins, have you ever questioned yourself ‘Who am I’? Have you had trouble trying to figure out who you really are as an individual? If yes, please explain why. RG: Yes, but not because I’m a twin but this can be said of everyone. I’m sure every healthy adult living now has questioned their own existence at some point it’s not something unique to twins. NG: How important do you think it is to create your own identity than both knowing as one? Please explain why. RG: It’s not something that should be important, we just live our lives as ourselves. I wouldn’t say we are pugnacious about our identity because we are twins. We’re merely a couple of humans who are just living.

From the interviews I conducted, I have learnt that if you cling on to shared identity, it will ultimately hold you back creatively, professionally and socially. Not being known as a twin, people will not have pre-conceptions about you regarding your twins behaviours and beliefs - by doing this you wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t put yourself in the social stigma society created. One interviewee stated that, once they moved out to separate different locations, they realised the dependence they had with each other, it felt uncomfortable to meet new people and socialise without the twin. Once people know one twin, they almost think they know another one too, which is not always the case, people need to realise twins are different and recognise their differences. One twins behaviours will affect the other one too, the way someone behaves, speaks to one twin will be spoken the same way to another twin too, which starts to become very problematic. Twins and especially parents need to realise that they need to be grown up as a separate individuals to be able to express yourself and not feel the struggle to adjust to be alone. However, when your friends or the people you meet recognise the differences their opinion changes about twins being one but still remains the same when viewing twins in general. From this interview what I have noticed is that other twins does feel the way I feel, they are happy and proud they are twins but were still affected by dependency, companionship and people acting the same with you they act towards your twin sibling. The constant comparison frustrates you, to feel that you have to be and act similarly to what one twin is. For example: I want them to know me as Nischal, the person who happened to be a twin, not the twin who happened to be named Nischal. Yes, we are twins but it is not what we want to be known as forever. After all everyone is an individual, even a twin.

- Problem Twins have always been seen as one, two individual bodies but one identity, unlike the non-twins. Names such as â&#x20AC;&#x153;the twinsâ&#x20AC;? should not be the term to define them. Although they may look identical but they are individuals like the non-twins, with individual personality, opinions, thoughts. They should not be overlooked superficially but should be portrayed as two individuals. Twins can be incredibly alike but also very different, which people tend be very surprised when they figure this out. Although once they find out twins are alike but very different at the same time, they still tend to see twins the way society has portrayed them. After all everyone wants to be the person known for who they have become as a certain individual but not the individual the society has portrayed for you.

+ Solution / Idea Create a solution to raising awareness communicating twins are still two different individuals with different thoughts and visions. Book - Portraits of the twins and the emotion comparison Installation - Merging of twins faces creating shadows using light projection

Chewing gum experiment with Identical twins Beldent created an installation called “Almost Identical”. The twins were the art on display. Each set were dressed and styled exactly the same except for one difference: twin on the right side was chewing a piece of gum. Throughout the day, museum-goers participated in an interactive exhibit, answering questions about their first impressions of the twins. Of the 481 people who participated in the experiment, 73% favoured the twins who chewed gum, proving that chewing gum doesn’t give a bad impression. In fact, it does quite the opposite.

The participants are given headphones to listen to the questions where they are requested to answer with the touch of the button in front of them. The lights behinds the twins tells who they have picked for their answer. Image shown on the next page at the bottom.

Which of these bosses will give your a raise?

Which one has more friends?

Which one will fire you when you ask for a raise?

This experiment communicates the message very simply, engaging the audience has made this experiment very interesting. It generates the viewers curiosity to think who will the participant pick for their answer. By watching this experiment and the interviews I conducted showed a clear path on what I wanted to take it further.

Which one has more imaginary friends? 80

Initials ideas Test 1 What makes one individual from another? One may look like you, dress like you, can have same experiences as you but will have different interpretations and cannot be you. Conduct a interview style film one twin at a time and ask same questions to both. This will examine their thoughts, interpretations and show if identical twins are really identical or not.

eating and Rather than cr separately, tio asking ques ns essing pr why not film ex e th w ho , ns emotio result might expression will sting. re te in er th be ra

Questions such as; 1. One thing that really give you joy? 2. What is your opinion on ... 3. Who is your role model? 4. How would you feel when ... 5. If you were given ‘X’ amount of money, what would you do?

Test 2 Set of identical twins dressed differently, chewing gum, different hairstyle.

“How can I communicate to the public that twins are two individuals?”

People will have to know that they are identical twins but will they treat him, look, speak to him like they do to another twin?

No identical twins were found in the area who were willing to spend time doing this. However, this would have taken a lot of production time and crew to help out.

Identical twins scout advert

Twin recruitment were advertised in Arts and Bournemouth University and in Winton high street and Bournemouth town square. It was advertised in various social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, Tumblr and Twitter. Emails were sent out to colleges in Bournemouth and Poole. I only advertised in local areas because they would be more likely to come back if I had to re-shoot or film.

Identity by Jeffrey Wang

No identical twins were found in the local area

This is a chronicle progression of a woman. A woman who morphs from innocence to struggles, and back to innocence. From a state of purity, when there is no good and bad, to sophistication, which comes with seduction, greed, debauchery amongst all other evils that dominate the world. On the verge of decadence she struggles, for individuality, for virtue, for her own soul. In the end amidst all chaos, she unites with peace of mind, living with a sober fact that she is just one of them, and she canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hide. That is her identity, whether she likes it or not.

Work of Jeffrey Wang resembles what he is expressing from his work to mine. The society has constantly built up on peoples minds on how twins should be and no matter how different twins might be, they will always see twins as a duo unless they are built different superficially. 88

This work by Frederique Daubal resembles identity, transformation. Hiding your original expression and keeping the same expression ceaselessly.

Observation (Measure emotions, personalities, vocal, body language by analysing the twins) Face reading (personology) Why Bother With Emotions? Emotions control your thinking, behavior and actions. Emotions affect your physical bodies as much as your body affects your feelings and thinking. People who ignore, dismiss, repress or just ventilate their emotions, are setting themselves up for physical illness. Emotions that are not felt and released but buried within the body or in the aura can cause serious illness, including cancer, arthritis, and many types of chronic illnesses. Negative emotions such as fear, anxiety, negativity, frustration and depression cause chemical reactions in your body that are very different from the chemicals released when you feel positive emotions such as happy, content, loved, accepted. Physical Effects of Emotions Emotions have a direct effect on how our bodies work. Fearbased emotions stimulate the release of one set of chemicals while love-based emotions release a different set of chemicals. If the fear-based emotions are long-term or chronic they damage the chemical systems, the immune system, the endocrine system and every other system in your body. Our immune systems weaken and many serious illnesses set in. This relationship between emotions, thinking, and the body is being called Mind/Body Medicine today.

Ken Ohara - One They are people of all ages and races. The eyes, nose, and mouth are located at the same position on each page. Their individualism and differences disappear. It shows how people are really the same despite the differences we always see in each other. It also proves that the human face is much more that just the eyes, nose and mouth. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But when you capture the look in someoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eyes, an intimate stare, a knowing glance, his or her situation becomes a shared experience, a more personal connection.â&#x20AC;? However, it does state above that their individualism disappear but also photographing them separately tells more about their individuality. Straight-forwarded faced images tends to be more revealing than more attitude-laced photos. This is because there is no where to hide: Facial lines and asymmetries all come to light. The reason because the faces in this book seems identical because of the close-up shot of the face, where it only shows the facial features, which becomes repeated throughout the book hence why the viewers do not notice the difference because it is constanlty just showing the nose, eyes, and lips. However, taking this work as an inpirationg what I will do is conflict this concept and use one set of twins faces repeatedly.

Portraits Series of front portrait of twins and repeated again and again

Alexander Calder

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