[name] are you okay?

2022

Doppelgangers L’Inconnue de la Seine (an anonymous drowned girl found in the Seine in 1880s Paris) and original CPR manikin Resusci-Anne (who’s face is modeled on L’Inconnue’s) guide through a breathing ritual meant to ‘ignite the spark of life,’ but designed to douse each attempt. Inspired by the history of resuscitation and evidence that CPR is largely ineffective at saving lives, the filters’ futility exposes the absurdity of thinking any continued, unchanged action will eventually generate different results.

Made for Extended Reality Ensemble & Pollinate Art’s #MakeUsVisible event in collaboration with 3D designer Keiji Drysdale

To experience the piece, open this page on your phone, and click the link above.

 
 

Who are L’Inconnue & Resusci-Anne?

L’Inconnue de la Seine was an unknown teenage girl found drowned in the Seine in 1880s Paris - her death mask became popular in Western Europe, and in 1960 became the face of the first CPR manikin, Resusci-Anne - making her ‘the most kissed face of all time.’ She epitomizes the mythos of the innocent white girl as victim - both deserving of resuscitation, and capable of saving others. However, in spite of a mountain of scientific research and medical advancement, resuscitation hardly ever saves lives. The repercussions of this fairy tale of death’s reversal touch ecological and social crises, and expose difficult questions - who’s death is considered an unacceptable, avoidable tragedy? And who’s is an acceptable, unavoidable loss?

More Info:

On Resuscitation & CPR’s efficacy:

On L’Inconnue de la Seine & Resusci-Anne: