2018 / performance and installation
This “course” presented strategies for building and nurturing emotional intelligence (EQ). An “office” was set up in the Southern Exposure gallery (San Francisco, CA) where I took up residence as an artist and scholar exploring emotions, parasocial relationships and interactions. The work entailed four weekly lectures (performances) within the physical space where gallery visitors were able to sit and observe, but were given he instruction that the only way they could participate was to log onto Instagram live. A tension was created between the in-person audience and the online participants.
In the first week, participants were introduced to the concept of EQ and how it materializes in digital and physical space. During the second week, I explored body scanning and understanding physical sensations connected to various human systems, specifically, the nervous system. In the third week, I covered identifying where feelings reside within the body and how to build “emotional muscles.” The last week focused on turning EQ into empathy and wisdom. These methods of instruction were inspired by the work and research of Jeanne Segal, Ph.D., adapted specifically for the digital age.
You can learn more about the Centre for Emotional Materiality here.
Dorothy R. Santos, Ph.D. 