Aisha Ryannon Pagnes
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there i am here you are there
Encounters Through Movement in Darkness and Silence
This piece is an immersive experience for at least five participants. They explore a completely dark space for a minimum of 15 minutes, guided only by the dynamic movement of fluorescent magnets attached to their vests. These glowing points of light create the illusion of movement in a seemingly borderless space.
The experience consists of two spaces: the antechamber and the chamber. The antechamber serves as a preparatory, mediating space between the bright exterior and the complete darkness of the chamber. Dimly lit with UV lighting, it allows participants to transition gradually. In the chamber, bodies are reduced to single points of light, abstracting identity and form.
A facilitator briefs participants on what to expect, the duration of the experience, and safety assurances. They are provided with in-ear plugs, ear defenders, and vests equipped with 6mm-wide fluorescent magnets. The in-ear plugs and ear defenders reduce external noise, heightening awareness of intimate sounds like breath and heartbeat. The magnets act as visual anchors, emitting a soft white hue that fades slowly over 30 minutes.
Within the chamber, appearance and language can be abandoned as primary forms of communication. The fluorescent magnets are the sole visual markers, indicating position, direction, and movement. In the absence of visual details, individuals merge into a homogeneous group, the points of light transforming into a dynamic organism negotiating space and agency.
Occasionally, physical sensations like a warm touch or a fleeting scent remind participants of their bodily presence, grounding them in the experience.
When the heavy curtains separating the chamber from the antechamber are parted, participants follow the light seeping through to the outside. The facilitator guides them to their belongings, answering questions and allowing time for their eyes to readjust to the brightness.
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there i am here you are there
Encounters Through Movement in Darkness and Silence
This piece is an immersive experience for at least five participants. They explore a completely dark space for a minimum of 15 minutes, guided only by the dynamic movement of fluorescent magnets attached to their vests. These glowing points of light create the illusion of movement in a seemingly borderless space.
The experience consists of two spaces: the antechamber and the chamber. The antechamber serves as a preparatory, mediating space between the bright exterior and the complete darkness of the chamber. Dimly lit with UV lighting, it allows participants to transition gradually. In the chamber, bodies are reduced to single points of light, abstracting identity and form.
A facilitator briefs participants on what to expect, the duration of the experience, and safety assurances. They are provided with in-ear plugs, ear defenders, and vests equipped with 6mm-wide fluorescent magnets. The in-ear plugs and ear defenders reduce external noise, heightening awareness of intimate sounds like breath and heartbeat. The magnets act as visual anchors, emitting a soft white hue that fades slowly over 30 minutes.
Within the chamber, appearance and language can be abandoned as primary forms of communication. The fluorescent magnets are the sole visual markers, indicating position, direction, and movement. In the absence of visual details, individuals merge into a homogeneous group, the points of light transforming into a dynamic organism negotiating space and agency.
Occasionally, physical sensations like a warm touch or a fleeting scent remind participants of their bodily presence, grounding them in the experience.
When the heavy curtains separating the chamber from the antechamber are parted, participants follow the light seeping through to the outside. The facilitator guides them to their belongings, answering questions and allowing time for their eyes to readjust to the brightness.
Next Work ︎︎︎
Writing ︎︎︎
About ︎︎︎