Ribbon Texts
Sewn from ribbons and installed directly on the wall, these messages encourage mental habits that can increase happiness.
Unoccupied, the human brain defaults to chaos and negativity.1 The messages here attempt to compensate for this negativity bias. Indeed, individuals can take steps to increase happiness. (According to positive psychologists Lyubomirsky, Sheldon, Schkade, and Seligman, a theoretical formula of happiness includes voluntary action.2.) These texts are reminders of such actions.
1. Jonathan Haidt. The Happiness Hypothesis. New York: Basic Books [2006] 28
Caption: Christine Wong Yap, ribbon texts, 2011-2014, ribbons, thread, pins, dimensions variable.
Photos of billboards courtesy of Galeria Rusz.
Press:
- —. “Six Dazzling Messages for a Woman Who Wants More—from Herself.” Oprah.com. June 12, 2014. Images.
- Giedrys, Grzegorz. “Billboardy reklamują sztukę wysoką.” Gazeta Toruń. September 1, 2012. Preview, photo.
- Orłowski, Mariusz and Błażej Antonowicz. “Wielkoformatowi artyści.” Toruń TV. September 18, 2012. Interview.
- —. “Białoruskie i irańskie billboardy w Toruniu.” Polskie Radio. September 13, 2012.
- —. Teraz Toruń. September 13, 2012. Preview, photo. mp3.
