Curatorial Statement

Eye contact has been extensively researched by psychologists for decades. From helping infants create emotional connections with their caretakers to conveying one’s presence and interest, eye contact is as intimate as it is robust. It has captivated the curiosity of scientists with its vital role in forging human connection; this role is consistent with the emotional power of art. Drawing ideas from prolific artists such as Marina Abramovic and their works involving eye contact, we were inspired to create an installation which dove even deeper.

In this piece, two people sit across each other in an isolated environment. A series of (seemingly) ever-increasing tones is played each time either person blinks in order to create an intensity which escalates for the 10-minute duration of the experience. The booth-like setting is meant to advance this intensity, making it more private and personal. The two people ideally leave feeling more deeply connected than they did coming in.

Departing from the conventions of traditional performance pieces involving eye contact, this installation gracefully weaves media into ideas which have been worked and reworked for decades. It contributes to the new wave of media art which has dominated the past few years and hopes to inform future works which will delve even further into the intersection of traditional and media art.