Meet Filomena the Woolly Brain! In French, “fil” means “thread” or “wire” and the expression “donner du fil à retordre” means something is particularly challenging… so Filomena is aptly named: making her was a bit of a headache at times, but mostly it was a pleasure and I genuinely feel that I rewired my own brain with each stitch/cell I added.
Filomena is a hyperbolic structure crocheted with just over a kilogram of yarn. That’s over 2 kilometres (2300m), which is mindblowing. Although it is a simple structure, it was not an easy one to make… supremely complex and delightfully challenging, especially on my poor hands!
Why a brain: living at the intersection of neurological illness, autism and c-PTSD, developing an interest in the brain and neuroscience was a no-brainer. I am fascinated by neuroplasticity, brain rewiring and neural pathways. I am routinely frustrated by the limitations my brain conditions impose on me, but equally marvel at what my brain can do. On the whole we have a great relationship in rather trying circumstances.
Making a huge woolly brain is a wink to the myriad symptoms I have to manage on a daily basis, and it is also a cosy presence that is lovely to rest with. Having a tactile, visual representation of such a mighty and mysterious organ means a lot and invites me to take even greater care. I find it’s also a great conversation starter and a great tool for advocacy.
She is currently in Edinburgh as part of the Developing Brain Exhibition, so if you want to meet her and hold her, this is your chance! See all details HERE
She will remain in Edinburgh for another exhibition in September, details to follow.
Along with Filomena, I made a series of tiny books for the exhibition with the theme of the Double Empathy Problem. The series is called The Rubbish Library, because making tiny books with waste materials is one of my hobbies, and because the Double Empathy Problem is a rubbish one to deal with day after day. It was therapeutic to make those little books, and I always enjoy producing art that people can touch and interact with.
In that vein, one of the books, called Unrequested Advice and Unhelpful Remarks, was sent with a box of sticky labels and a Sharpie so that people can add the ridiculous things they have to hear on a daily basis.
