FIG 1. STILL, FROM SENSORY EXPERIMENTS, is a promotional film by Hayden Sommerville.
ABOUT Wholly embracing the provocative power of the world around us, Sensory Experiments was a call for change. Aiming to both interrogate and propose a methodology for designing for the future, Sensory Experiments offered a curated exploration and celebration of the fullness of our senses.
TYPE: Exhibition, Event, Installation
SCOPE: Concept Design, Installation and Set Design
LOCATION: Mission to Seafarers, Norla Dome, 717 Flinders Street, Melbourne
TIMESCALE: 1-Day
DATE: March, 2019
FIG 2. MISSION TO SEAFARERS, exterior view, found photograph.
Thus, the hypothesis: We must investigate a human-felt future where no hierarchy or imbalance between and within technology and the senses exists. We must encourage designing for the pleasure of holistic connectivity and the provocation of existing material values.
In this fully immersive experience, participants created the Manifesto for Sensory Intelligence - a record of sensorial responses to stimuli-saturated Sense-Scapes. The Manifesto was digitally transmitted in real-time to create a living, breathing mandate for human-centric design visible at Sensoryexperiments.com.
FIG 3. EXCERPT FROM PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL, designed by More Studio.
SENSE-SCAPES The Sensory Experiments were conducted within three Sense-scapes. These environments were crafted with the acute intention to address the five ‘traditional’ senses and provoke both individual and collective responses in the participants.
Each Sense-scape design had its basis in and aimed to elicit:
— one type of human connection
— one or two types of human emotion
— a forgotten ritual, practice or story about the senses.
Participant responses were recorded in different formats through various media and creative methodologies. Sub-conscious corporeal reactions, such as sound and temperature, were measured alongside intentional cognitive expression. This formed the content for the Manifesto for Sensorial Intelligence; the objective outcome was to achieve an awakening of the senses in all participants.
SENSE-SCAPE 1: OTHERS Through connectivity with our kin, we live an enriched, multi-layered existence. Ritualistic gathering fortifies and expands individual senses – together, we leave our mark. Through sacred dance, an initiation awaits, though it waits for no one while every heart beats in sync. Convene as a group, drop all pretence and listen with your body.
FIG 4. RICHARD LONG, River Avon Mud Drawings, 2011.
FIG 5 and 6. OTHERS, MISSION TO SEAFARERS COURTYARD 11 March 2019, Documented by Carmen Zammit.
SENSE-SCAPE 2: NATURE Once, the rose was a sanctified symbol of pure olfactory and visual pleasure, a medicinal and culinary resource, and an offering. Intellectual commodification of Beauty exalted the sense of sight over all others. The enrapturing scent was bred to nothingness in pursuit of a more perfect form. Consider where your gaze rests, and savour the visual gift.
FIG 7. RACHEL RUYSCH, Roses et al, CA. 1680S.
FIG 8 & 9. NATURE, MISSION TO SEAFARERS CHAPEL, 11 March 2019, Documented by Carmen Zammit.
SENSE-SCAPE 3: SELF To be present, we must sharpen the connection with The Self. By instilling consciousness at the moment and acknowledging the enduring influence of lost rituals, we allow our sensory perceptions to guide a return to the primal core. Recall yourself to the current moment.
FIG. 10. WITHIN THE GOLDEN EGG, Author unknown, Painting on paper, CA. 1760 India.
FIG 11 & 12. SELF, MISSION TO SEAFARERS NORLA DOME 11 March 2019, Documented by Carmen Zammit.
This event was part of Melbourne Design Week 2019, an initiative of the Victorian government in collaboration with the NGV.
Co-created and presented by Emma J Davis & Mages Ruiz Diaz
PARTNERS & COLLABORATORS
More Studio, Mr Kyle Mac, Damien Boecasse, Erika Hirzinger, Amara Speechley, Chelsea Evans, Isabel Johnson, Hattie Molloy, Emma Proudfoot, Holly White, Rachelle Austen, Olivia Reddan, Will Gouthro, Ben Dumas, Holly Simpson, Samantha Illiov, Hayden Sommerville, Justin James.
PERFORMERS
Nicole Tj, Thomas Lo, Josh Hooke, Nathan Juriansz, Miranda Bell, Elissa Robustelli, Rayan & Shane, Winter McQuinn, Alice Chadson, Felix Banquesio Jnr., Gaia Archer, Kiloran Hiscock, Sacha Flanagan, Venus Notarberardino, Linx Le, Bridie Shepherd, Angie Glavas, Heidi Valkenberg.
SPONSORS
Pord, Noomi, Press Print, Signwave SY, Ball & Doggett, Mihan Aromatics.
Sensory Experiments and our partners acknowledge the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation as this unceded country's first and traditional sovereign owners. We pay our respects to their elders, past, present and future.
