VEGETATIVE STATES: AN ATTEMPT TO INSTIL AND MEASURE ALTERED STATES OF CONSCIOUSNESS IN HOUSEHOLD PLANTS

Seductive and eerie, ’Vegetative States’ observes an experiment in which a lush, potted Peace Lily is wired to a polygraph (lie detector) device and is then shown hypnotic art videos, while a technician monitors its responses. This attempt to influence and measure perception quickly morphs into a genre blurring deconstruction of point of view. It lovingly distorts the boundaries between audience, experiment and spectacle while toying with the conventions of time-based media.

Produced for Trinity Square Video’s 2001/2002 Residency: THE DOPE SHOW