a conversation with a friend about refining my concept
The concept of the subconscious has been a topic of discussion among philosophers, psychologists, and scientists for centuries. It is a term that refers to the part of our mind that operates below our conscious awareness. However, when I was discussing my final major project ideas with a good friend of mine our conversation resulted in us discussing the idea of refining the word subconscious and this is when I realised that what we all do subconsciously is breathe.
While chatting about this potentially refined concept, we discussed the fact that focusing just on breathing can lead to a deeper understanding of ourselves and our connection to the world around us. Breathing is an essential function of life, yet it often goes unnoticed as we go about our daily routines. However, by focusing on our breath and becoming more aware of it, we can tap into the power of our subconscious mind.
Through practices such as meditation and mindfulness, we can learn to control our breathing and access the deeper parts of ourselves. This can lead to greater self-awareness, improved mental health, and a stronger connection to the world around us.
In conclusion, refining the word subconscious to its most basic element - breathing - reminds us of the importance of being present in each moment and connecting with ourselves on a deeper level.
The concept of using the breath as a representation of the subconscious mind got me thinking and sparked numerous creative ideas for my exhibition, incorporating the Lee Wagstaff-inspired portrait. It was comical, almost like a cartoon lightbulb moment.
(I've realised now while reflecting on my progress during this diploma and what I'd noticed was that with all my previous projects I've had the brief and fairly quickly developed a rough idea of what I wanted to do, whereas with this brief for our Final Major Project, I haven't experienced this
and it's taken me weeks to get to this 'lightbulb' moment).
As I delved deeper into the concept, I realised that breath is not just a physical process but also an emotional and spiritual one. It is something that we do unconsciously, yet it is essential to our survival. The way we breathe can reflect our innermost thoughts and feelings.
In my exhibition, I want to explore this connection between breath and the subconscious mind. I'm hoping to capture the essence of breath and its impact on our psyche.
I believe that by using the breath as a metaphor for the subconscious mind, we can gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and our place in the world. I hope that my exhibition will inspire others to explore this fascinating concept further and encourage others to remind themselves that sometimes we need to step into our conscious mind, especially when communicating and engaging with other people, strangers or friends.