‘Canopy of Thoughts’ is an ongoing climate psychology project that exists in iterative recreations in a variety of materials and locations, and cumulatively weaves together individual climate-disaster stories into a global narrative. It approaches the topic of environmental sustainability as a human rights issue and aims to highlight the impact of the global climate crisis on mental health. The ‘Canopy of Thoughts’ metaphor depicts a protagonist navigating an overwhelming haze of uncertainty, a suspended canopy of criss-crossing thoughts, emotions, and contextual factors. 

‘Canopy of Thoughts’ (pilot study and film 2021), was designed, facilitated, and produced by Elyssa Sykes-Smith for her Master of Fine Arts thesis project at the Architectural Association School of Architecture in London. The project works towards illustrating the problem question: “How to define and measure experiences of dissociation through the metaphorical relationship of protagonist and narrative that utilises concept mapping techniques and sensory aspects to understand the role of embodiment in climate psychology?”. A select group of participants impacted by the Australian bushfire season of 2019-2020, located in the region of the South Coast in New South Wales, were invited to participate in the study. Participants completed a Climate Disaster History Survey, a facilitated concept mapping session, and a follow-up interview. The film ‘Canopy of Thoughts’ 2021 presents a structured exploration of the data collected from the study, portrayed through an embodied performance, and overlayed with verbatim interview quotes and a symbolic narrative.
 
At the current stage of analysis there appears to be evidence which suggests that dissociative states are experienced as a result of climate disasters alongside the predominant states of grief and anxiety, and that the research tools devised in this study appear to be a positive form of engagement for participants that enable them to recollect, reflect, express, process and engage with their imagination in a structured format. In addition to this, another main finding is that the performative study followed by editing the film continues to be a fundamental way in which to process the findings from the pilot study. The latter finding also supports the problem question with regards to utilising embodied processes to engage with the complex material within climate psychology, both from the point of view of a researcher and audience participant.
 
Presented at Palazzo Mora as part of TIME SPACE EXISTENCE, ‘Canopy of Thoughts’ 2023 showcases how qualitative data can be translated into a artwork by translating the materials collated during the 2021 project into an expressive reclaimed paper and timber installation that is visually and structurally integrated into the architecture of the site. Synthesising the poetic and the practical, the materials used to create this artwork have been salvaged from the packaging used to transport the other participant’s work and repurposed from a previous artwork. This iteration continues to function as a tool for research and engagement, it invites a new layer of interaction with the local and global community in Venice, an opportunity to learn about geographically distant climate-based disasters through the sharing of individual stories, presented through an intimate exhibition experience. 
 
In kind support: Architectural Association Interprofessional Studio
Research partner: Centre for the Study of Substructured Loss
Video editing and sound design: Nigel Christensen ASSG

Canopy Of Thoughts Soundscape

'Phytology Hour' - Clear Spot on Resonance FM.

Featuring interviews and original sound recordings by Michael Smythe, Gabby Boraston, Duncan Robertson, Lucia Montero, Lucy Cash, David Nash, James Nixon, Stick In The Wheel, Sarah Westcott, Sam Wallman & Lucy McLauchlan. 

Produced and recorded by Lucia Scazzocchio.

www.phytology.org.uk
www.socialbroadcasts.co.uk 

A Nomad Projects Commission.

Phytology Hour - Clear Spot on Resonance FM.

Elyssa Sykes-Smith (b.1991, Australia) is an artist working in site-specific sculpture, installation, performance, socially engaged projects, education, and public art. In creating art for public space and designing participatory projects Sykes-Smith seeks to distil complex, psychological states into multisensory experiences incorporating art practice, technology, psychology, and the sciences.

She seeks to translate the expressive qualities of the figure, exploring form, space and movement pushing the figure towards abstraction and approaching sculpture as a multisensory experience that incorporates many forms of media to explore issues of and experiences of humanity.When the sculpture not only responds to a site but also brings it to life, a dynamic relationship is created between the audience, artwork and surrounding environment. Key concerns involve encouraging her audience to experience an environment from an altered perspective and connecting to an artwork through a visceral, embodied response. 

Elyssa Sykes-Smith continues to advocate for human rights and environmental sustainability.

Canopy Of Thoughts Soundscape

Elyssa Sykes-Smith Artist

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