A Natural History of the Senses Study

A Natural History of the Senses by Diane Ackerman

Easing Pain

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiUlqaXWx2o

          This video was inspired by the section "Easing Pain" where Ackerman discusses the forms of pain easing. From actual painkillers to a rush of endorphins, I was inspired to think about other forms of easing pain: emotional pain that is. Ackerman states, ". . . twenty minuets of aerobic exercise is enough to stimulate your body to produce more endorphins, natural painkillers" (p.105). Splicing together scenes of nature in its finest form (natural painkillers), I drew on what eases my emotional turmoil. Overlaid on these clips I interviewed my friend Kate Walsh to get her take on how she eases her own emotional pain. It seems to boil down to human connection and sharing emotional burdens with others which really helps her get through issues.


The Skin Has Eyes






          For this section, Ackerman stated something very curious that inspired me. After describing an experience with a llama, involving how it feels and smells, Ackerman says, ". . . The word 'llama' becomes a verb in our vocabulary, because you have to llama your way through life from time to time" (p. 94). Reflecting on my experiences that have turned into verbs, I wanted to create a piece that reflects a memory turned into my vocabulary. I chose photos I had taken over summer in Oregon of waterfalls I had come across while hiking. I printed them and made a sort of mixed media collage on top of the waterfall prints. Using watercolor, I defined what it means to waterfall through a time and space.

Comments

Popular Posts