Boni Cairncross, Actions for Sensory Disruption, 2014-2015, durational performance, artist book, megaphone, imperial leather soap, mango, orange, mandarin, peach, passion fruit, blueberries, dimensions variable.
It has been suggested that sensorial experiences are not simply a case of physiology, but are also imbued with social and cultural values. It is not something that is discussed much; rather this facet of sensory perception is simply practiced on a daily basis in a series of mundane interactions between people.
Since late 2014, Actions For Sensory Disruption has seen Boni adjust her daily behaviour according to a number of sense-based tasks: talking too loud, wearing the same unwashed clothes, avoiding eye contact, insistently sharing food, standing too close to other people and so on. Performed for as long as possible, these seemingly simple tasks became frameworks to explore the socially embedded values of sensory experience. The role of context and relationship became crucial elements – what does it mean to say farewell to a friend without looking at them? To stand very close by to someone who keeps asking you on dates? To tell someone you haven’t washed your clothes for two weeks?
In exhibition form (Bus Projects, Melbourne, 2 Dec-19 Dec, 2015) Actions For Sensory Disruption attempts to document the hours and months of these intangible gestures. Captured as a hand written account, the artist book was organised across three stations in the exhibition. Here the records become objects that detail and evoke the Cairncross’ strategies, the negotiations, silliness, paranoia, the failings, the moments when it simply became impossible and the insights it offered.
The stations in the exhibition included:
Strategies for being heard and changing odour, megaphone, imperial leather soap, artist book (sections 2 and 4)
Strategies for avoidance, artist book (section 1)
Strategies for sharing food and increasing closeness, mango, orange, mandarin, peach, passion fruit, blueberries, artist book (sections 3 and 5)
Boni Cairncross, Actions for Sensory Disruption, 2014-2015, installation view, exhibition documentation of durational performance, artist book, megaphone, imperial leather soap, mango, orange, mandarin, peach, passion fruit, blueberries, dimensions variable.