Edith Ronde

"Applying proprioception in the visual arts develops a new awareness of our bodies in relation to space and, consequently, our perception of the world. We humans do not hang upside down in a cave, nor do we live on Mars; therefore, where we can physically be says something about our species, humanity.

We perceive space through proprioception. The English neurophysiologist Sir Charles Sherrington describes proprioception as ‘the perception of joint and body movement as well as the position of the body, or body segments, in space’. This sense answers the question ‘Where am I?’ Proprioception is necessary to experience the body in space.

In my visual work, I have depicted movement in space by walking through a mirrored labyrinth. The labyrinth consists of stacked forms made up of geometric ovals. These oval shapes have a point at the end, like a plant leaf. These ovals are covered in mirrored plastic and have ripples. The tip and the ripples of the oval mean that the viewer experiences it as partly organic.

The fragmented, rippled mirror image touches our awareness of our body because it shows a different reflection from that of a regular mirror.

The stacked forms resemble the stacked stones seen at Stonehenge, the prehistoric monument. They appear fragile yet imposing because they stand on top of one another and remain standing. The upward stacking refers to the universe.

Those walking through the labyrinth see themselves reflected in a fragmented manner within the space and experience both the space and their own bodies. It is thus an immersive artwork, offering a new way of experiencing ourselves within the space."

Contact:
e.ronde@upcmail.nl