W-DRAW

Self-Discovery

People have the instinct of immortalizing the consciousness by expressing their feelings and thoughts through communication methods they have developed. They tend to leave a mark on the world as a reflection of consciousness. Human behaviors are counted as these traces which are recorded by historiography science. These traces can be seen as both drawings since cave engravings and writings since epitaphs. Using instruments such as drawing or writing tools and also their own body is the method for leaving traces.

The body consciousness which is created by the reception of stimuli produced within the human organism is called ‘proprioception’ (the sixth sense). It includes the state of positioning the body together with its limbs and the position information, power, and balance information, taking the stimulation of the human consciousness. Self-Discovery aims for proprioceptive stimulation by offering the subject a new media environment in which it can use its body as a tool.

The visitor's movements in the exhibition area are collected via the Bluetooth transmitter (Estimote Beacon), which he obtained at the entrance of the exhibition. This position data simultaneously processed for each visitor is visualized as an exhibition trajectory. The visitor sees her/his route on the ‘Self-Discovery’ interface in relation to the color of his/her transmitter label.

Traces of objectified bodies that are made visible on the screen form a picture of society. This track has previously used the same route as the visitor wants to establish a hierarchical superiority on the track and settles on the upper layer. Foucault[1]'s attempts to convince the body that each body has its own unique identity while referring to Foucault's desire to transform (create) objects that can easily change places with each other. While Orwell explained that “Until they become conscious they will never rebel, and until after they have rebelled they cannot become conscious.”[2], he discusses the formation of awareness with action. 

Self-Discovery was designed as a work of art that made the visitor realize that it was being watched. This interface, which aims to create a real-time experience, allows the visitor to produce personal traces by positioning the body (proprioceptive sensation) and using it as a tool. As a result, a media environment in which the visitor is an artist can be mentioned.

[1] Foucault, M. (2005). The Subject and Power.

[2] George Orwell. (1949). 1984.

Collaborating Artist: Burcu Nimet Dumlu