I am interested in the exploration of mourning and sleep, and particularly the strength of emotion that seems to rest just beyond consciousness. Sleep seems to play an integral part of mourning, as it is one of the key traits when diagnosing depression. Most individuals experience insomnia, where as others sleep constantly. Multiple studies, including one conducted by Y. Gorgulu and O. Caliyurt, have proven that sleep deprivation seems to be a temporary treatment for those suffering from depression. Unfortunately, once the patient returns to their usual sleeping habits the depression returns. So, in this space of depression and mourning, sleep appears to be many things: an unachievable goal, an escape or a potential catalyst/cure. I am interested in examining what role sleep plays in mourning aside from the obvious physical demand.
Sleep, especially slow wave sleep (the deepest level), involves a sort of letting go. The body relaxes and the brain's functions change quite drastically from its waking state. If an individual has just suffered a traumatic loss (of any sort i.e. job, home, loved one etc.) willingly forfeiting control of your body and mind may be difficult. Or for some, sleep may be an escape because they can forfeit their body and mind.
There are so many elements I want to explore (forced relaxation, genuine relaxation, dreams, the process of crying in one’s sleep, a safe loss of control – just to name a few) and I hope to do so in a warm way. I think there is something so romantic about both sleep and mourning, and I hope my work is not entirely cold or impersonal.
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