Extended Perception, 2016

Room on the 5th floor of the Estonian Academy of Arts´Rauaniidi building,
space between the windows, smoke machine, smoke leading pipe system

Being fascinated by the possibilities of perceiving the immediate surroundings I’m looking for ways to trigger the mind to be more present and conscious, that which could be achieved by extending the space or activating a part of it less paid attention to, heightening the awareness of oneself in the midst. Am seeking to connect what’s far and near, rather than to separate or position firmly without possibilities to change, looking to find stability in the in between.

“And men go about to wonder at the heights of the mountains, and the mighty waves of the sea, and the wide sweep of rivers, and the circuit of the ocean, and the revolution of the stars, but themselves they consider not,” reads Petrarch from Augustinus’ “Confessions”, whilst on top of Mont Ventoux. His experience of external vastness from the given view is reflected directly in his soul, the combination of those two makes the perception of the immeasurable possible.

By focusing on an in between area, which is not exactly void of everything but more likely looked through than seen, could act as a trigger for the mind to define how we locate ourselves physically and mentally within a place. While the view begins as offering a clear view to what’s outside, it gradually gets disturbed and the viewer is forced to turn attention to the more immediate surrounding.