Feb 19, 2019
Intimately Introspective
By emma aulenback
The pursuit of intimacy. In discussing this monumental task, instinctually undertaken by humans across the globe, one must question the prerequisite of another person. INTIMACY, Trinity College Science Museum’s current exhibit, challenges the viewer to become intimate with themselves, and contemplate this concept as something much more than physical touch.
The open space provokes an easy-going atmosphere. Causally color blocked, vibrantly lit, and textured with soft fabric- the viewer is invited to become totally immersed in the experience. The exhibition pieces themselves, however, cast a dark filter, forcing the viewer to grapple with their own feelings of loneliness. Throughout the first floor, one is amused (and maybe playfully disturbed) by the technological inventions aimed to overcome loneliness. “Pillow Talk” keeps long distance lovers in tune by recording the other’s heartbeat, while the “Kissinger” device simulates the sensation of another’s tongue. It is when the viewer stumbles upon “Missed Connection”, a board filled with the messages of past patrons, that the complexity of this exhibition comes to life.
what / everyone / wants / and / nobody / says
Displayed on yellow and pink index cards are the honest desires, thoughts, and regrets of everyday people. Many advertise themselves and hope that their favorable qualities spark an interest. Others put out a very specific casting call for people who will meet their standards of “funny”, “like to ski”, or “have a nice beard”. Instagram handles are included at the bottom, allowing viewers to act upon these offers.
One may take comfort in the solidarity that this wall creates. To see that others are searching for a connection may keep the hope of finding one alive! Yet, the messages addressed to “the guy I said no to drinks with” snap the viewer back to the harsh reality of everyday interactions, where the fear of rejection and making a sour first impression stifle our ability to truly connect. Wouldn’t we all like to meet someone new, skip the small talk, and say exactly how we feel? This wall shows just how rare that is.
trying / to / find / what / is / lost
On the second floor, “21 Grams: Poetic Justice” causes the viewer to interact with the idea of past connections, and whether we can still benefit from the mere memory of intimacy. The box is filled with items intended to stimulate the senses in the ways a loved one once did. The scents, sounds, and physical remnants of the deceased are used to recreate a world in which they both lived together. A poisoned cigarette is available for the owner to rejoin their lover in the afterlife.
The exhibit indulges the idea of living in the past. This may be taken as a warning for some; to live with memories, not for them. Yet, to others, life may just be too unbearable without the connection that time or circumstance stole from them. Either way, the piece provokes the viewer to evaluate their own connections in life and what it would mean to lose them. Are some of us only built to connect with a predetermined and limited group of people? Would life hold value without this person, despite the presence of others? Is the owner of this box shutting out potential connections, knowing of their fragility? It is rare the pain of missing someone overpowers the joy from knowing them at all.
With a rotation through the revolving doors, visitors leave this exhibition and enter back into the bustling streets where strangers walk all around them. It may seem like each person’s purpose is individual- looking straight ahead, not bothering to notice one another’s existence. After this experience, visitors know that this is not true.
We are all walking aimlessly around searching for the same thing. With a little intimate introspection, however, we may all come to realize that thing… is each other.
This post would work well on a website such as the Huffington Post.
