As part of World Mental Health Day today (Tuesday, Oct. 10), the Duke Wellness Center will display an exhibit of two 3D sculptures that highlight the valuable role community support plays in preserving mental wellness.
The two sculptures were co-created as NFTs by Fabin Rasheed, a noted new media artist and Dr. Murali Doraiswamy, a Duke physician and mental wellbeing advocate.
"We would like to use this exhibit as an opportunity for the Duke community to reflect on all that we do to support each other’s mental health through professional services/resources and community practice," said Thomas Szigethy, director of DuWell.
The first piece, KNOTS explores how psychological "knots" from our past can hinder wellbeing and happiness. Knots highlights the importance of positive emotions, especially love, and realistic optimism to untangle our "mental knots" and reset our mind's introspective mirror.
The second piece, MEMORIA, depicts two humans, one "being there" for the other. The gold-colored wire-like strip connecting the two is a composite EEG recording of the artist during recovery from depression. MEMORIA spotlights the importance of mental wellbeing and flourishing to individuals and society.
The exhibit is open to the public throughout the month of October at the Duke Wellness Center, on 305 Towerview Rd.
In addition, Megan Bell, Google's director of mental health, will discuss how technology can be leveraged to improve social mental health today, from noon to 1 p.m. She is the founder of one of the first digital mental health start-ups. The talk will be on Zoom.
Below: the two sculpture pieces KNOTS (top) and MEMORIA. The QR codes aside each connects to 3D images that can be rotated and viewed on your device.
