Heterotopia, part I 

tin foil, silver sheeting, wooden stage, stuffing, light projections, audio

Documentation film of installation 

Tertium Quid, Arts Letters & Numbers, NY, January 2017

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"Heterotopia" is a site specific installation first created and shown at the Arts, Letters & Numbers Institute in January 2017. The work realised with audio, visual and tactile sensory elements explores the experience and lasting impacts of inpatient anorexia treatment on child/teenage anorexics. Working with audio taken from a BBC documentary film centered around an inpatient clinic that I too was a patient of, it attempts to convey to the audience both the experience of the unit itself and the complexity of managing recovery thereafter. Utilising autobiographical experiences of the ‘grey stage’ of recovery management, it aims to demonstrate the internal turmoil of challenging a disorder daily which wants to consume itself. It also brings to the forefront the stigmatised societal misconception that ‘why don’t you just eat something’ is a helpful treatment approach. That the condition can’t be cured with kind, helpful and frustrated words.

It utilises a textured foil flooring to create an environment that is difficult to move in, creating sensory input that is audible to the rest of the audience thus sharing your reaction (shuffling in discomfort, getting up to leave). Its also designed to be covered on all sides by distorted shiny silver sheeting (although in part I the set up space only allowed for 2 sides), creating both a beautiful refractive light display but also meaning the only thing to look at otherwise is your own slightly distorted reflection. I hope to be able to continue working on further versions of this piece in other spaces. 

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