Spaced Out
Last weekend HK hosted a Space-Out Competition. Yes, truly. Participants space out for 90 minutes, with any hint of activity resulting in disqualification. Falling asleep, talking, or fidgeting all count as activities. Heart rates are checked every 15 minutes, while an audience votes for their favourite. Founded ten years ago space-out was created by South Korean visual artist Woopsyang after she suffered from severe burnout. Part competition, part performance art the event is now hosted in Beijing, Rotterdam, Taipei, Hong Kong and Tokyo. For the spectator it is as exciting as watching grass grow. My generation was taught idle hands were the work of the devil so the mere concept of spacing out and having an audience too is beyond the realm of imagination.
Spacing out means to position two or more items at an equal distance from one another or to become unaware of one's surroundings. (Watch the Secret Life of Walter Mitty to see examples.)
When was the last time you spaced out? Teachers frequently encounter this behaviour in classrooms however doing nothing for many living in a fast paced 24/7 bustling city is challenging at best. Taking a break to allow our minds to decompress, bodies to relax, nervous system to reset is crucial for long term health. Dr. Herbert Benson, founder of Harvard Mind Body Institute first coined the term ‘Relaxation Response’ when the heart rate and blood pressure drop due to either mediation or repetitive movement such as walking.
I am enroute to California to present to the Labyrinth Society AGM. I will share with them my 15 year journey with these amazing tools. Walking the narrow continuous circuitous path is a kinaesthetic activity that focuses the mind instilling a sense of release and mental calm. I am the Asia Representative for the Labyrinth Society and if you have visited the studio you may have noticed the curvy white lines on the floor of the studio. There are also permanent labyrinths at St John’s Cathedral and Star Ferry in Central too. In Nov I will restart regular labyrinth walks and facilitations and invite you to take a break by taking a walk.
