Aphasia
2024
Aphasia is defined as “an impairment of language, affecting the production or comprehension of speech and the ability to read or write”. Lead artist Drewry Hanes’ interest in the concept stems from a Traumatic Brain Injury she sustained which rendered her unable to speak, causing life flight medics to label her as “non-verbal”. During her recovery, she began to use her healthcare and anthropological backgrounds to take a long self-inventory while also looking more deeply into the social constructs that affect communication.
This artwork examines different pathways of expression outside of traditional verbal communication, along with ways in which individuals and communities can be silenced, and in turn find alternative ways to express themselves. The work allows participants to take unique meaning from each panel and communicate their own thoughts and ideas through participation in the installation.
Through art, we are heard.
*Image designs by Daniel Vanderhorst. Flip sideways to landscape to view panels if viewing on phone. Current panels are examples only.
Frame One - Invisible
The two front panels of Frame One showcase neurofeedback imaging that illustrates invisible injury along with word clouds that convey toxic positivity and shame felt by victims. In invisible injuries victims’ voices are often superceded by toxic positivity or an inability to grasp problems faced by the patient. Showing a visual representation of these injuries offers a voice and a validation of self. The interior panels are blank, allowing participants to find and contribute their voices to the work.
Frame Four - Inner Self
The four panels of Frame Four showcase photographs that contributing artists’ feel represent their ‘inner picture’ or something that symbolizes an essential element of their personality or life experience. Photos may or may not include the artists themselves.
Talk Panels - Thoughts
Between each art panel is a talk panel with an articulated thought. Participants can walk around the installation until they find something that resonates and then walk through that “door”. Alternative choices are written on the interior, offering other choices for participants as they exit the installation.
Full design booklet available here.
Frame Three - A Missive
The two panels of Frame Three front showcase letters from artists speaking to the local and global community. These artists belong to communities that have often faced challenges claiming their voices due to gender issues, cultural preconceptions and traditions, and others claiming the right to speak for them.
The two back panels are commentary from artists comparing and contrasting their personas in the Burning world and the Default world.
Frame Five - An Artwork
The four panels of Frame Five showcase works of art in different mediums that communicate thoughts, feelings, ideas, or representations of the artists’ lives at present. They are a proxy for a self through the medium of art.
Frame Two - Home
The four panels of Frame Two showcase what contributing artists think of as “home”. In today’s age of travel, displacement, aspirational migration, and changing family dynamics, the concept of home is fluid and personal. Through adapted photo imagery, artists share what the concept of home means to them.
Frame Six - Sound
The four panels of Frame Six showcase a selection of music from artists that DJ to connect with their environment and communities. The music is translated into visual sound waves and then overlaid onto a photograph of the artist making the music for a visual representation of the aural communication.
Installation Build Plan
CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS
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Bozeman, Montana, USA
Panel 1 [F], Panel 3 [F]
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Los Angeles, California, USA
Panel 15 [B]
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Valencia, Venezuela
Panel 9 [F]
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New York, NY, USA
Panel 7 [F]
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Denver, Colorado, USA
Panel 6 [F]
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New York, New York, USA
Panel 4 [B]
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Helena, Montana, USA
Panel 16 [F]
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Newayo, Michigan, USA
Panel 18 [F]
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Denver, CO, USA
Panel 7 [B]
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Global
Panels 2 [B], 5 [F,B], 8 [F,B], 11 [F,B]
14 [F,B], 17 [F,B]
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Bozeman, MT, USA
Panel 9 [B]
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Los Angeles, CA, USA
Panel 6 [B]
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Livingston, Montana, USA
Panel 4 [F]
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St. Ignatius, Montana, USA
Panel 10 [F]
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Sydney, NSW, Australia
Panel 12 [F]
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Vienna, Austria
Panel 12 [B]
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Los Angeles, CA
Panel 10 [B]
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Valencia, SPAIN
Panel 15 [F]
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New York, NY, USA
Panel 13 [F]
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Missoula, Montana, USA
Panel 13 [B]
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Los Angeles, CA, USA
Panel 16 [B]
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Sydney, Australia
Panel 18 [B]
