Description of Work

Brain Boost - 2022 - 2D Digital Animation - Not For Sale

Artist's Statement

Brain Boost is inspired by my struggles with math on the Autism spectrum. Brian, the main character, starts out in an austere analytical chamber being questioned by an intimidating apparatus. His attempts to understand multiplication mirror how I would shut down on a lesson, overwhelming myself among the scattered details. This room was inspired by a large pale walled classroom, combined with the aesthetics of online tests, and dated computers andTVs from the 2000s. It represents common issues in American schools such as teaching with limited learning styles, having dated equipment, and lacking an understanding of neurodivergent learners. The mix of wacky and harsh proportions, along with the blunt  teaching style of the computer exemplifies how detachment from students can make efforts to endear children ineffective. It also stresses the importance of human teachers in a contemporary learning environment. Online lessons can’t directly answer questions, and lack compatibility with every learning style.

The presence of a living teacher is the first difference with the Animation’s other location. Jill is round and comforting, while at the same time being streamlined and agile. She is comfortable with the world of math, and hopes to provide Brian with the skills to overcome his anxiety. Jill caters to Brian’s visual learning style, showing him a stacking machine that physically represents twos being multiplied together. While the environment is rounder and calmer, it is still geometric and Brian still punches numbers into a keypad to manipulate math.This represents how Brian is still in the analytical world of learning, and that Jill is teaching Brian the skills he needs to pass the automated test alone.

Link to Artist's Website: http://grahambart.com/

If you wish to purchase any of these pieces, please contact the gallery director, Jacqueline Nathan (jnathan@bgsu.edu.)