Circadian Interruption, 2018
University of Calgary, AB, Canada
As someone who grew up in northern Alberta, I have always been aware of and sensitive to the extreme seasonal light-time shifts that occur in the north. I particularly remember as a child my parents covering our bedroom windows with tinfoil to block out the long summer daylight, tricking us into going to sleep at 8pm when it actually felt like 4pm light-wise. Later in life, having been diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), I can’t help but contemplate how my geographical environment and perhaps my “night owl” lifestyle may have influenced these diagnoses and in general my physical and mental well-being. And trust me there have been many frustrating long wakeful nights to contemplate it.
I now know that I am not alone in suffering from lack of sleep. During our lifetime approximately 1/3 of us will suffer from at least one diagnosable sleep disorder, ranging from insomnia, sleep apnea, to restless leg syndrome and many other rare conditions. Anyone who regularly sleeps less than six hours has a higher risk of depression, psychosis, stroke, and obesity. Why are we not sleeping? Science suggests there is a direct correlation between our health and our circadian regulatory cycles, which is the type and amount of light we are exposed to during our wakeful hours and sleep. For most of history humans experienced light solely during daylight hours, whereas today light is an immediately accessible commodity. Despite modern convenience, it’s recently become clear that the widespread — and often uncontrolled — application of artificial light can affect time cues related to our biological clocks and create significant health problems. Interestingly, however, not all colours of light have the same effect on us. Blue wavelengths (often experienced in a clear blue sky) can be beneficial during daylight hours because it boosts attention, reaction times, and mood. Accordingly, it is frequently used to treat SAD. Blue light on the other hand is the most disruptive form of light to be exposed to at night. The proliferation of screens emitting blue light and the now ubiquitous energy-efficient lighting has radically increased our exposure to blue wavelengths after sundown.
Working with light as a medium I am specifically interested in researching the relationship between circadian rhythms, sleep, and a range of important physical and mental health issues. Circadian Interruption as a visual research piece invites the viewer to physically engage with the work. By standing under the intimate canopies of the umbrellas participants can choose to be exposed to candlelight, daybreak light, and screen lights. The viewer is invited to contemplate their own circadian rhythm, their relationship to light, and perhaps experience the mental or physical effect that comes from exposure to different types of light. Good night, and good luck!
I now know that I am not alone in suffering from lack of sleep. During our lifetime approximately 1/3 of us will suffer from at least one diagnosable sleep disorder, ranging from insomnia, sleep apnea, to restless leg syndrome and many other rare conditions. Anyone who regularly sleeps less than six hours has a higher risk of depression, psychosis, stroke, and obesity. Why are we not sleeping? Science suggests there is a direct correlation between our health and our circadian regulatory cycles, which is the type and amount of light we are exposed to during our wakeful hours and sleep. For most of history humans experienced light solely during daylight hours, whereas today light is an immediately accessible commodity. Despite modern convenience, it’s recently become clear that the widespread — and often uncontrolled — application of artificial light can affect time cues related to our biological clocks and create significant health problems. Interestingly, however, not all colours of light have the same effect on us. Blue wavelengths (often experienced in a clear blue sky) can be beneficial during daylight hours because it boosts attention, reaction times, and mood. Accordingly, it is frequently used to treat SAD. Blue light on the other hand is the most disruptive form of light to be exposed to at night. The proliferation of screens emitting blue light and the now ubiquitous energy-efficient lighting has radically increased our exposure to blue wavelengths after sundown.
Working with light as a medium I am specifically interested in researching the relationship between circadian rhythms, sleep, and a range of important physical and mental health issues. Circadian Interruption as a visual research piece invites the viewer to physically engage with the work. By standing under the intimate canopies of the umbrellas participants can choose to be exposed to candlelight, daybreak light, and screen lights. The viewer is invited to contemplate their own circadian rhythm, their relationship to light, and perhaps experience the mental or physical effect that comes from exposure to different types of light. Good night, and good luck!