Names: Sections of the brain
The theme of the festival was education. This brought the anatomical atlasses back in mind.
By its slicing systems: coronal (vertical frontal), sagittal (vertical sideways) and axial (horizontal) it also relates to artificial space, mentioned in architecture by the x y z -axes.
In one way it is a clear scientific system in order to help finding and knowing the location of specific anatomical elements, at the same time it can be seen as a sort of ritual towards the human body.
The section systems are developed for educational and communicational reasons: to be able to communicate with oneother about anatomical mental and physical issues.
My work as an artist deals with language, Dutch, English, German: the languages that I am able to speak and perform.
A text work in Cuba would not function in one of those languages and I do not speak or read Spanish.
The latin anatomical names however, are used and recognised all over the world, not only in medical surroundings.
It was impossible to learn the lists of names by heart, so I recorded the names in order to hear them via headphones.
My voice was amplified via a small microphone attached to my face.
Performance:
I sit up straight in front of the audience and start reciting the names of the coronal (frontal) sections while pointing out the sections with my forefingers.
In the same position I recite the names of the sagittal (sideways) sections.
Than I stand up, bent over and recite the names of the axial (horizontal) sections while pointing out the sections on my skull.
year | 2008 |
location | courtyard Casa de Poesia, Havana Cuba |
brief description | The Latin names of anatomical elements of the brain, spoken aloud by me while pointing out the sections with my forefingers. |
performed by | Toine Horvers |
curator | Ada Azor |
photography | Proyecto Circus ABC |
project or event | Proyecto Circus ABC performance and media festival |