Understanding stimulus overload in PRIKKEL

Our society is under pressure. More and more people feel stressed by external stimuli, as though their lives are determined by outside pressures. We barely have time to pause and reflect, leaving us increasingly disconnected from ourselves and one another. We all recognise that sensory overload and the way we process stimuli are pressing issues in today’s society. It is also clear that such a complex societal challenge can only be addressed by working across disciplines and sectors, bringing together a range of perspectives.

Research

This is the motivation behind PRIKKEL (meaning ‘stimulus’): a project that brings together science, healthcare and the arts, in a multi-voice exchange on sensory processing, also known as sensory integration. How do we process the stimuli given by the world around us? And can we experience certain stimuli in a completely different way to increase our understanding of people who process sensory information differently than we do?

Understanding Sensory Processing

A diverse group of scientists, doctors, artists, designers and students shares the same fascination with how we respond to stimuli, and with the growing overstimulation in our society.

By bringing together different disciplines (science, clinical practice, theatre and the arts), we aim to enhance our understanding of sensory processing, also known as sensory integration. What unites the collaborating partners in this project is a phenomenological approach. We want to analyse the different ways in which people process sensory stimuli. Cognitively, by acquiring greater knowledge and understanding of the process. And physically, by engaging in sensory play and placing the body within a sensory environment.

Expos, talks en residencies

IIn a series of public evenings and residencies with scientists and artists, we explore the different ways in which people process sensory stimuli. We invite artists and scientists, who often are experience experts of sensory overstimulation, to explore what this experience means. This happens by collectively giving substance to these experiences through collaboration and co-creation, and sharing them with an audience. This process has already resulted in an exhibition in which we explore the experience of sensory overload by continually giving it new forms and sharing those forms with the public.
This research has the potential to inspire innovation in the arts sector and arts education, but also in other, non-artistic domains. Potential areas for collaboration include healthcare and social care.

PRIKKEL is one of the CARE-labs within the SIA-programme Creating Culture of Cares, connecting art and healthcare.

From 6 October 2023 to 7 January 2024, the exhibition PRIKKEL in Buitenplaats Doornburgh, showcased all the results of the research project so far. This sensory presentation, filled with artworks, video and lighting installations and an interactive lab – tricked the perceptions catered to all the senses.