Earth's Distress Calls
in the Psyche
Earth's Distress Calls
in the Psyche
Abstract
Could Earth's consciousness be connected to the human psyche in more immediate ways than we think? By rehabilitating public mental health can we restore our Planet's health?
My transdisciplinary practice investigates this.
About the Artist
My work is in reaction to climate change and to review my identity as an immigrant.
I was born in Istanbul in 1985. I studied Film and Psychology at Wesleyan University.
Post-graduation, I pursued entrepreneurship providing design and branding strategies for startups and tech companies.
In 2014 I began servicing Greenpeace, creating global campaign style guides for forests, oceans, plastic pollution, indigenous rights, and many localized initiatives. Greenpeace is extremely diligent with research. Each campaign gave me access to hard facts and scientific reports. The downside was that the awareness of our climate crisis merged with my urban anxiety and developed into burnout.
Art became my therapy. I returned to my roots as a film student, a career path I had long been deferring. Today I put my entrepreneurial skills into art and research, investigating the links between environmental health and mental health. In my practice, I imagine the possibility of rewiring minds and building emotional stamina through massive changes that our Planet has begun to endure.
Art Therapy
In “Morphic Resonance ” series I draw visual white noise that fills in-between spaces. Meditating on linear knots, I investigate a correlation between self-patience and nature’s pace. Choosing monochrome and keeping the materials at the minimum, I draw in automatism.
"Very distinguished people have experienced failures that left them emotionally limping for a while, depth psychologists view such times as potentially generative, since they frequently lead to breakthroughs. It is generally when we fail to pause to regroup and rethink that our bodies, psyches, or circumstances step in to stop us."
Remember the Mother Tongue
Is there a forgotten language spoken between Earth Body and the Human Body?
Can we relearn it?The Experiment
MEASURING
The experiment uses the artist's original artwork as a variable.
Methods and Results
Key Takeaways
Reframing The Story
SANE
Indigenous Communities
People of Color
UNSANE
Politics
Power
Profit
Police
Pollution
"Sometimes I feel that it might be good if everyone had a tiny bit of Asperger's. At least when it comes to the climate."
"...as long as we continue to live in denial and treat only trauma while ignoring its origins, we are bound to fail... institutions that deal with traumatized children and adults all too often bypass the emotional-engagement system that is the foundation of who we are and instead focus narrowly on correcting "faulty thinking" and on suppressing unpleasant emotions and troublesome behaviors."
"A major reason why we are depressed is that we should be. We see signs of environmental destruction everywhere and homeless people in the streets. If we go to a psychotherapist, most of us will focus on our personal issues and the impact of our families of origin. Even if our conscious minds are busy focusing on getting more of what we want, our unconscious selves are weeping at the sad state of the planet."
" “People are self-medicating with hate. It’s an addiction.”
Thank You.
For discussions and collaborations do not hesitate to connect with me.
instagram: @aslisonceley
website: aslisonceley.com
Morphic Unit #196 - Work in Progress