For the past year, University of Houston student artist Britt Ragsdale has explored the cognitive state and hallucinogenic effects that accompany the awakening process. Now, she is ready to showcase these concepts in a new installation, "Hypnopomp," Dec. 2 - 19 at Houston's Lawndale Art Center, 4912 Main St. The installation is part of a residency hosted by the University of Houston Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for the Arts.
In "Hypnopomp," Ragsdale uses sculpture and audio to capture the multifaceted sensation of awakening from slumber.
"Through sculptural objects and audio components, I explore the combination of hypnopomp and sleep paralysis," said Ragsdale. "Hypnopomp is the scientific term referring to the cognitive state leading out of sleep. Commonly combined with sleep paralysis, when the brain suddenly awakes from sleep, hypnopompic hallucinations merge with normal vision to create an experience that many people have equated to supernatural encounters."
Ragsdale, a UH master of fine arts candidate, created "Hypnopomp" through the UH Mitchell Center and Lawndale's collaborative studio residency program. Each year, students selected for this program receive studio space at Lawndale Arts Center to develop new projects that are ultimately showcased for the public.
For more details on the exhibition, visit http://www.lawndaleartcenter.org/.
| WHAT: | "Hypnopomp" |
| WHEN: | Dec. 2 - 19; Opening reception 6 - 8 p.m., Dec. 2 |
| WHERE: | Lawndale Arts Center, 4912 Main St. |
| WHO: | UH Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for the Arts, Lawndale Art Center |