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Nocturnal Worlds
Each night, we lose consciousness while our brains remain remarkably active. Neurons fire in synchronous waves during deep sleep before shifting into cycles of REM sleep. I’ve been drawn to the mysteries of sleep for over a decade, fueled by a deep curiosity about what happens during these unconscious hours that are so vital for our memory, health and wellbeing. For over a year, I have recorded my brainwaves during sleep using the Muse EEG headband, gathering data alongside reflections from my sleep diary. These recordings inspired Nocturnal Worlds, a series of portraits that delve into the biology of sleep and memory. The work explores the shifting landscapes of the subconscious, shaped by the phases of sleep and the nightly rhythms that influence memory, identity, and consciousness. |
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In the Nocturnal Worlds series, a hypnogram of a week’s sleep data frames each figure. Each vertical band represents a night of sleep beginning at 9pm. White indicates wakefulness, pale blue marks REM sleep, soft blue shows light sleep, and midnight blue reveals deep sleep. These bands trace cycles of dreams, restorative deep sleep, and periods of wakefulness.
The lightest blue sections correspond to REM sleep, the stage most associated with vivid dreaming. During REM, the mind is highly active. On an EEG, it resembles wakefulness even though the body remains paralyzed in slumber and the eyes dart rapidly beneath closed lids.
Deep sleep, or slow-wave sleep, is the most restorative stage of the sleep cycle. It is essential for physical repair and memory consolidation. This stage occurs early in the night, is dominated by slow, high-amplitude delta waves, and is the most difficult stage of sleep to wake from.
Insomnia and night waking disrupt the natural rhythm of rest, leaving the mind alert while the world sleeps. To me, insomnia feels like restless moths swarming, with thoughts drawn endlessly to the flickering light of my sleepless mind, a landscape of heightened awareness, looping thoughts, and internal reflection.
The lightest blue sections correspond to REM sleep, the stage most associated with vivid dreaming. During REM, the mind is highly active. On an EEG, it resembles wakefulness even though the body remains paralyzed in slumber and the eyes dart rapidly beneath closed lids.
Deep sleep, or slow-wave sleep, is the most restorative stage of the sleep cycle. It is essential for physical repair and memory consolidation. This stage occurs early in the night, is dominated by slow, high-amplitude delta waves, and is the most difficult stage of sleep to wake from.
Insomnia and night waking disrupt the natural rhythm of rest, leaving the mind alert while the world sleeps. To me, insomnia feels like restless moths swarming, with thoughts drawn endlessly to the flickering light of my sleepless mind, a landscape of heightened awareness, looping thoughts, and internal reflection.