L’emprise is a collective experience where a mentalist takes control of the drawers’ arms to reveal a new, innovative way of drawing.
This mad professor experience is a variation of the Cosa Mentale drawing performance, changing it to a collective experience shared with the public.
The experience of Dr. Gauquelin takes place on the first floor of the Hôtel Particulier Montmartre. Dressed in a white coat, she follows her protocol by placing four guinea pigs in front of a board with drawing sheets. Each person must position two electrodes, about three fingers apart from each other, on their left arm. Behind the professor, a mentalist sits on a metal chair. The mentalist's brain activity, captured by silver chloride electrodes, will activate the drawers’ muscles.When the experience begins, the mentalist’s visual cortex is analyzed to determine their mirror neurons activity. When the mental image is detected by our algorithm, their brain activity is transformed into an electrical current and sent in real-time to the drawers’ arms through the muscle electrodes. It makes their arms convulse like a hand ballet and transforms their drawing, revealing new shapes.
This custom-made installation was commissioned by Dcontract for Chambers of the Curious event by Hendrick’s Gin. Mentalista made the experience design and manufactured the device.
