SYNDROME REBEL
Syndrome Rebel develops this movement score into a 'stimming score', and is a collaboration with musician and composer Daniel Tedford, whose expertise in musical scoring allowed for the collaborative development of more sophisticated tools for movement scoring, including a means of notation.
“Wool is a natural fabric, representative of biodiversity and reminiscent of nature and the natural - an autistic way of being is a natural way of being”
Different symbols represent specific movements, frequency and proximity denote rhythm, and the size of the symbols signify how big or small the movement needs to be. The notation of the stimming score was hand embroidered onto the rug.
The score is performed in a specially made green linen dress, designed with a full skirt so that it bounces and reflects the fun circular shape as it spins. The full score is approximately two and a half minutes, but most performances are more than one round.
“Syndrome is a beautiful word, full of movement. It is medical language, denoting ‘a characteristic combination of opinions, emotions, or behaviour’. Stimming, or self-regulation, is a taboo topic and the performance of the score is a rebellion against the medical fraternity which suppresses neurodivergence. In particular the performance of this piece is a rebellion against doctors who encourage the suppression of safe self-regulation practice in autistics and other neurodivergent people. ”
Stimming is a significant part of autistic culture that is crucial to the autistic community's mental well-being. Syndrome Rebel is about educating people on safe stimming. In public people will often avert their gaze when they see somebody self-regulating. This artwork is a platform for people to feel safe to look and watch within the gallery context. Greater public understanding empowers other autistic people to practice stimming in public.
Syndrome Rebel was performed in February 2019 at the Art Bar, Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney.
