Relaxation Circuit
Pia van Gelder
21 Aug → 26 Sept 2015

Relaxation Circuit is an interactive installation which endeavours to reimagine an important early experiment with bio-circuits and the radiant powers of the human body created 70 years ago by Leon Ernest Eeman. Eeman proposed to treat a variety of medical conditions by harnessing electronic currents emitted or radiated by the human body. Relaxation Circuit is a bio-circuit based on Eeman’s designs with one addition, a bio-synthesiser. This synthesiser creates up to 5 tones or ‘oscillations’ which are controlled or ‘modulated’ by the human body itself sonifying these healing radiant behaviours.

Although Eeman’s bio-circuits did not gain popularity in mainstream or alternative medicine, his proposal highlights a provocative proposition about the possibilities of energy within the human body at a time when the power of electricity was often idealised. This work aims to re-enact this esoteric remedy to rediscover and experience Eeman’s contribution to the healing-arts and further explore his hypothesis through sound. This media archaeological work revisits uncovered and forgotten historical understandings of energy hoping to find new meanings in the connection between media, energy and the body.

RELAXATION CIRCUIT SESSIONS: 5:30pm every Friday (before FM[X]?) & 2pm every Saturday throughout the exhibition.

Groups of 2-5 people may also make a session booking for an alternative time via phone: 9662 3297.

Pia van Gelder is a Sydney-based electronic artist, teacher and curator. Van Gelder develops performances, interactive installations and event based works that explore different understandings of our relationship with technology and electricity. Recent projects have included The Instrument Builders Project, National Gallery of Victoria, 2014; Psychic Synth at Performance Space, 2014, a large-scale interactive installation powered by a participant’s brain waves.