Tag: ASL community

Do you remember the last time you relied solely on your sense of smell to find food? Or relied solely on your sense of touch to find your way to work?

It is cited as a mark of progress that we no longer require these instincts for basic survival. But in the wake of this progress, the relevance of our most primal senses is often forgotten or discounted from our lives. I wish to turn more focus toward these senses, which is why I called in someone special.

Meet Shabarafi. My quiet friend with a patient heart.  Shabarafi may seem strange in the way they communicate, but do not be alarmed.  Shabarafi is an olfactory-tactile creature, which means their language is made of smell and touch. Inside, they protect the feelings, memories, and remnants of lost minds that have been left behind, making sure each one is safe in their belly and uncorrupted.  If you would like,  you may talk with Shabarafi. They are happy to share what’s in their heart, I only ask that you be patient, and breathe before approaching.

Surrender to the moment, look into their heart, and feel what they feel.

In this exhibit we will highlight the significant roles that smell and texture play in our human connection beyond basic survival and emphasize its role in how we connect to each other.

Due to its extreme impact on both our conscious and unconscious emotions, I believe that practicing our awareness of smell and touch, and recognizing it’s role in our communication can benefit our relationship to the earth greatly,

Why did I make Shabarafi?

My very best friend is a big dog named Cosmo. I love him more than anything in this world. He smiles, he laughs, and he always tells me when he’s happy or sad. He’s got an active little noggin, and I want him to be happy.  He does not speak, I suspect by choice. Shabarafi helps me translates my feelings into smell so I can talk to Cosmo the dog in his own language. 

Cosmo doesn’t understand photographs. But when I’m gone, Cosmo can still go to Shabarafi and I’ll be right there with him, every time. 

Potential Applications, Intended Outcome

Could olfactory-tactile art help us bridge communication gaps between people who communicate differently?

(Art for people who are hard of hearing or visually impaired, communication tools for people who may have trouble verbally.

Citing page 1, Due to its extreme impact on both our conscious and unconscious emotions, I believe that practicing our awareness of smell and touch, and recognizing it’s role in our communication can benefit our relationship to the earth greatly, and hopefully result in:

• Heightened empathy, deeper connections, awareness of pheromonal communication
• Applications art therapy for those that may not possess sight or hearing
• Therapeutic ways to bridge communication gaps and allow personal expression tools of emotion for those with developmental disabilities, or for who may be processing trauma, and need a personal way to process feeling.
• Focusing on deeper connection to nature

We hope you have a nice conversation with Shabarafi, I swear he’s a great dude!