Monica Stauffer, Student Work

Synesthesia | Natural History of the Senses

Artist Statement

Synesthesia is the the production of a sense impression relating to one sense or part of the body by stimulation of another sense or part of the body. The most basic example is seeing letters or numbers in a certain color, or identifying certain sounds with colors as well (low sounds are dark colors, high sounds are light colors). It’s a union of the senses, a sensory overload, a luminous spill of sensation. It’s caused by the limbic system not being governed by the cortex. 

Many creatives have this; it allows them to have the ability to create a piece of art that conveys an emotion. It also can act as a sort of mnemonic device, to help aid in remembering an idea, or sparking a thought (sex, tea, cigars, and baths are all historical examples). 

Experiencing synesthesia is a very personal thing, and differs from person to person. However, there are daily occurrences of synesthesia in almost every person. 

When you walk into a building, you usually experience a change in your mental or emotional state. Entering a church gives this sense of holiness, of grandeur, because of it’s size as well as ornamentation. However, this is a completely different experience than you feel when you walk into a house, particularly your home. Your home is your safe haven, where you feel most like yourself, where you return to to remember who you are. It’s comfortable, and most likely does not leave you with the feeling of divinity. 

Physical spaces have an emotional impact on us. The way a space is designed and laid out causes this impression. And that is what I set out to do with this installation: create a physical space that, upon entrance, causes you to feel calm and collected, contained, yet still a part of the world. 

The other goal was to draw attention to an architectural feature. The site that the installation was set up in has a wooden beam coming down from the highest point to the corner in this alcove. It seemed the perfect thing to draw attention to, to mimic. 

The purpose of the thread is to lead the eye of the viewer to this corner: the eye moves in, and then up. It pulls you in, as numerous lines lead to this point. That is how the viewer ends up being in the space. Once in the space, the numerous angles of the thread create a sort of wall, making the viewer feel enclosed, yet not to the point of being separate from the world. It’s calming, a space to be in when you don’t wan to escape completely. 

The physical appearance and experience of the space cause an emotional and mental connection with the viewer, achieving synesthesia.