“Contemporary Interpretations on Rhythm and Time Perception Research”

Artist: Rebecca Sutherland
NeuroGrad Collaborator: Zhaleh Alipour

Abstract

Upon initial consultation with Zhaleh Alipour I evaluated my position as an arts researcher and contemplated the role of an artist, and an art work, in response to scientific research. This deliberation lead to the commitment of the work being a metaphoric response that considers how aspects of the experiments and research function conceptually. Alipour’s conducts experiments to test perceptions of rhythm and beats by using three methods: visual, audio and haptics. This research is then compiled to examine the relationship between perception of beat to perception of time. After seeing the significance of these experiments, it would have been a disservice to Alipour’s research to create a work that did not have some aspect of duration involved. Waiting; Receiving is a time-based work that functions mainly through the use of video and audio. Streams of fabric have been cut to visually reference what may be interpreted as rhythm, and then are hung over dye infused water that slowly absorbs into the material. This installation is then filmed and edited into a distorted time lapse video with measured dripping as audio. The experience of this time based piece aims to question our own perception of time, and recognition of visual and auditory rhythms.