Artist Statement

The Themiescope is an experimental device that aids our research of communication between people and the world around us. When placing the device over the user’s head, their vision is slightly altered from reality. As a result, the user’s sense of sight now deceives them. In such a way, the wearer must now navigate a newly perceived landscape. Additionally, their ability to communicate with others around them is also altered. When two users of the Themiscope see each other they are back-to-back where neither user can see the other’s body language or expressions. What develops is a personal conversation between two people communicating with their eyes. In doing so, we test the human's ability to communicate intention, meaning, and feelings through the use of eye contact devoid of all other human qualities.