We are usually afraid to show emotion. We worry that it will make us vulnerable. If you cry in public or you are too enthusiastic, it is showing the ‘real you.’ Lisa Park is an artist who has turned that fear on its head.
Lisa Park took the words “brain power” and gave them a literal meaning through her art. She combines EEG scanning with speakers and polls of water. She revolutionized making art with a performance which is called ‘Eunoia.’ The name comes from the Greek words ‘eu’ which means ‘well,’ and ‘nous,’ which means ‘mind.’ So, the Greek words put together to form ‘Eunoia,’ which means ‘beautiful thinking.’
Lisa Park is well-known for combining biosensors and art. In ‘Eunoia,’ Park crouches in the middle of 48 vibration pools which are turned to her EEG headset. EEG readings are actually used to measure brainwaves. The 48 pools are meant to symbolize the Baruch Spinoza’s philosophy he outlined in his book Ethica, in which he says that people have 48 distinct emotions, and some of them include frustration, excitement, engagement, as well as meditation. He also emphasized that it is quite important for us to understand our emotions, in order to master them.
As Park works through her emotions, her mental state is reflected outwardly. The EEG signals become vibration in each of the pools. The pools rest on speakers so that we can hear, as well as ‘see’ the emotions of Park.
Park told The Creators Project:
I started working with biosensors, especially with EEG headset, as I questioned how can I take this invisible energy and emotions, as well as make it visible?
The connection with water is no coincidence. Park observed that we humans are made of 60% water. She added:
When I feel certain emotions, such as anger, sadness, happiness, I believe that what is inside me, more than 60% of water in human body, is going to create vibrations/energy within myself. So, I wanted to create an artwork which represents the inner part of myself.
When Park is calm, the pools are also calm. They start vibrating more intensely if Park is stressed, sad or scared. The vibrations are also combined with sound. When Park feels really emotional, the sound feedback will be louder.
The more clearly you understand yourself and your emotions, the more you become a lover of what it is. – Baruch Spinoza
For more information visit thelisapark.com
