Deliriums

2018, mixed media, robotics, video, animation, sound

Deliriums explores the murky boundaries of the social sciences, particularly relating to personality disorders outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). It examines the intersection of human emotion and its material manifestations through robotic musical instruments, sculpture, sound, and video. The installation presents the DSM-5’s three clusters of personality disorders, offering a sensory exploration of complex emotional and behavioral patterns.

During a 60-minute performance, robotic instruments perform scores based on monologues from individuals diagnosed with personality disorders. Each monologue is transcribed, voiced by synthesizers, and paired with synchronized animations. The animations provide insight into the cognitive pathologies of the three”virtual souls,” highlighting their fragmented yet interconnected imaginations. The project seeks to evoke the sublime humor and profound mystery of human behavior while engaging with ecological and philosophical questions about identity within psychological systems.

Deliriums emphasizes the often-overlooked neurodiverse experience, questioning what constitutes “well-being.” By fostering dialogue around psychological variance, the installation invites reflection on the range of socially acceptable behaviors. The dispersed arrangement of sound, sculpture, and animation prevents the elements from converging at once, instead offering a fragmented yet immersive experience. This structure prompts viewers to consider the complexity of internal processes—like the unseen electrons in a circuit or the thoughts that drive action—and how these forces manifest through sound, movement, and behavior.

Integrating robotics, voice synthesis, and animation, Deliriums generates a layered multisensory environment where the viewer becomes both witness and participant. By revealing internal and often invisible systems, the work challenges conventional perceptions of human behavior and encourages an expanded understanding of identity, emotion, and neurodiversity.