Neurodiversity Art
The Multifaceted Artistry of Évelin Maier
When we asked in an interview about how we formed such an exceptional team to work with, I expressed my belief that the process often felt guided by a higher power. I emphasized the unpredictable nature of the serendipitous connections that brought together the best individuals and circumstances. One extraordinary instance that stands out is the momentous meeting in a church healing room, a fateful encounter that seemed orchestrated by a divine presence. It was through this remarkable experience that I had the fortunate opportunity to meet Évelin Maier, Creative Director, Interaction Design Artist, Founder- THE Q SPACE from the Royal College of Art's MA Contemporary Art Practice program.
In our society, it is commonplace to prioritize resumes, backgrounds, and skills when choosing collaborators. However, what truly resonates with me is the profound beauty of human connection and the heartfelt narratives that unfold beyond the surface of EEG (Electroencephalography) data, analysed by the SMG team at Foster + Partners. Engaging with individuals, rather than relying solely on machines, allows us to delve into the abundant depths of human experience and encounter the vast richness it offers. This serves as a poignant reminder of the immense value that collaboration brings forth, as the synergy of shared creativity and life experiences has the power to bring about transformative outcomes.
MRI images ©Évelin Maier
Évelin Maier
RCA Contemporary Art Practise MA 2023 Interaction Design Artist
Embracing Neurodiversity Through Art and Design
Évelin Maier is an accomplished artist and designer whose journey into the world of art took a remarkable turn following a life-altering experience. With a successful career in the corporate world spanning over sixteen years, Évelin's life took an unexpected twist in 2014 when neurologists at UCL discovered a brain tumor in the left frontal lobe, near the speech center. An eight-hour awake surgery at the Hospital of Neurology & Neurosurgery followed. The recovery process involved intensive linguistic speech, neuropsychology, and written word rehabilitation, revealing Évelin's above-average cognitive information processing speed.
The surgery, though successful, brought with it common side effects such as neurological fatigue, cognitive difficulties, and a high vulnerability to noise and divided attention. These challenges underscored the necessity for a career adjustment, leading Évelin to pursue a BA degree in IDA Interaction Design Art at UAL in 2017. Graduating with an upper second-class honors degree in September 2020, Évelin's artistic journey continued to flourish, culminating in acceptance to the MA Contemporary Art Practice program at the prestigious Royal College of Art in 2022.
Évelin's artistic exploration revolves around society's interaction with both external and internal elements, with a particular focus on music, sound, and spoken word. Their work delves into the intricate tapestry of humanity, blending cutting-edge cognitive concepts with abstract still and moving images. Through an interdisciplinary approach that encompasses art, design, science, and technology, Évelin highlights the potent intersections between these realms.
The unique installations autographed by Évelin feature captivating themes, including human anatomy, human rights endeavors, social psychology, and sound. Their work has been showcased at prominent venues such as the Tate Modern Lates, Science Museum London, and Montez Press Radio. These exhibitions not only demonstrate Évelin's artistic prowess but also reveal their ability to curate and produce contemporary art and sound that resonates with audiences.
In tandem with critical exhibitions at renowned institutions like Tate Modern, Science Museum, and Somerset House, Évelin's work delves into the intricate relationships between people. One particular abstract film, accompanied by haptic sound, explores the profound impact of transparent boundary issues on individuals, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. By infusing spaces with touchable haptic soundscapes, Évelin's art invites viewers to immerse themselves in pragmatic behavior while contemplating the transient nature of existence through vibrant shapes and observations of social engagement.
Évelin Maier's work not only reflects the evolving world of critical ideas, spaces, and approaches but also embraces the unique perspective of neurodiversity. Their art serves as a conduit for transparent communication, promoting ethics, vision, integrity, and skill. As Évelin continues to push the boundaries of art and design, their profound exploration of the human experience captivates and inspires, leaving an indelible mark on the art world.
Bibliography
Le Bon, G. (2019) Gustave Le Bon: Psychologie der Massen. Translated by R. Eisler. Independently Published.
Maier, E. (2020) How does Social Gender Inequality affect women in Elecrtronic Sound Art and Potentialities to foster Equality. UAL.
Miller, A. (1999) The drama of being a child: The search for the true self. London: Virago Press. Oliveros, P. (2015) 'The difference between hearing and listening', November. Available at: https:// youtu.be/_QHfOuRrJB8.
Tate (no date) Guerrilla girls, Tate. Available at: https://lnkd.in/eTq-3-xE girls-6858 (Accessed: 6 March 2023).
Alfred, Brian. 2022. Why I Make Art: Contemporary Artists’ Stories about Life & Work, First edition,
ed. by Ananda Pellerin (Los Angeles, USA: Atelier Éditions)
Barrett, Lisa Feldman. 2018. How Emotions Are Made: The Secret Life of the Brain, Paperback edition (London: PAN Books)
Miller, Alice. 2017. Das Drama des begabten Kindes und die Suche nach dem wahren Selbst: eine Um- und Fortschreibung, Suhrkamp-Taschenbuch, 2653, 11. Auflage (Frankfurt am Main: Suhrkamp Verlag)
Rippon, Gina. 2020. The Gendered Brain: The New Neuroscience That Shatters the Myth of the Female Brain (London: Vintage)
References
“About.” [n.d.]. Laurie Anderson <https://laurieanderson.com/about/> [accessed 6 March2023]
Ahmed, Sara. 2014. The Cultural Politics of Emotion (Routledge)
Alfred, Brian, and Why I. Make Art. 2022. Contemporary Artists’ Stories about Life & Work (Los Angeles, USA: Atelier Éditions)
Barrett, Lisa. 2018. How Emotions Are Made: The Secret Life of the Brain (London: PAN Books)
Buchanan, Allen E. 2013. The Heart of Human Rights (Cary, NC, USA: Oxford UniversityPress)
Crisp, Richard J. 2015. Social Psychology: A Very Short Introduction (London: Oxford University Press)
Gardner, Thomas, and Salomé Voegelin. 2016. “Colloquium: Sound Art and Music,” Colloquium: Sound Art and Music
Hersey, Tricia. 2022. Rest Is Resistance: A Manifesto (Little, Brown Spark)
Le Bon, Gustave. 1977. Le Bon Gustave : Crowd (Harlow: Penguin Books)
Maier, Eveline. 2020. “How Does Social Gender Inequality Affect Women in Elecrtronic Sound Art and Potentialities to Foster Equality” (London: UAL)
Miller, Alice. 1999. The Drama of Being a Child: The Search for the True Self (London: Virago Press)
Oliveros, Pauline. 2015. “The Difference between Hearing and Listening” <https://youtu.be/_QHfOuRrJB8>
Passingham, R. E. 2016. Cognitive Neuroscience: A Very Short Introduction, Very Short
Introductions, 489, First Edition (Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press), cdlxxxix
Rippon, Gina. 2020. The Gendered Brain: The New Neuroscience That Shatters the Myth of the Female Brain (London: Vintage)
Tacium, David. 1993. “Judith butler, gender trouble: Feminism and the subversion of identity, (New York: Routledge, 1990),” Surfaces, 3 <https://doi.org/10.7202/1065107ar>
The battle is the lords.
Forensic Neuroscience Research 2023 MA1 CAP 2023 ©Évelin Maier
About Évelin
# RADIO PRODUCER, CURATOR & HOST
# ABSTRACT STILL & MOVING IMAGES
# IMMERSIVE AUDIO / VISUAL INSTALLATION
-> EXTERIOR / INTERIOR
# ARCHITECTURAL PROJECTIONS
# PUBLIC SPEAKER / AD / CD
# CONTEMPORARY ART PRACTICE, EXPERIMENTAL
# INTERACTION DESIGN ART
Q&A
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What are your thoughts on this project collaboration, and what inspired you to participate?
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What insights do you have from your profession, and what thoughts do you have on the topic of Neuroscience EEG data and Psychology that you would like to share with the public ?
The human brain is, in principle, a prediction machine. Meaning it assesses any circumstance encountered and gives a strategy or prediction - rest, freeze, run, or attack. Using this simplified knowledge in this installation, the seeming living textile showing the EEG readings in collaboration with eloping classical music intrinsically moves receptive people to a place of rest, if not restoration and peace. A criticality in today's life, it quickly overwhelms people with massive amounts of information coming towards us daily; if a person is diagnosed with a mental health problem, long-term illness or any other disability, these islands of rest strengthen their daily life and give further assistance to function steadily in social -psychological environments furthering their life's pathways. Amelia speaks to this subject and society in a most precious and professional way.
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What has been the most influential to your career?
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What message/actions do you hope audiences take away from visiting ‘Mind-music-textile and your story?
The one thing or person that influenced my life the most, besides academic education, is Jesus Christ and his community. His leadership and social psychology teachings intrinsically shaped and reshaped my person and, therefore, my environment over the last twenty years. It is also the cause and reason I encountered Amelia Peng at one of our Prayer-meetings, where I had the chance to get to know her personally outside the professional art scene. It encouraged me to assist with my medical story, the astrocytoma brain tumour diagnosis 2014. It changed my life 360 degrees, returning to the arts but in a professional academic way.
@RCA2023
@rca_contemporaryartpractice
@royalcollegeofart
@the.q.space
https://www.linkedin.com/in/eveline-maier2018
@MRI @Neuroscience @social-psychology @Neurodiversity @ForensicResearch