BY THE EAR: Thesis Show

My thesis “By the Ear” explores every aspect of listening and hearing—from aesthetic to functional use of our ears. Ears are one of the most visible parts of our bodies, sitting right next to our faces, yet they’re rarely talked about. We often try to hide them with hair or adorn them with jewellery, whether consciously or subconsciously. 

Through this show I want to explore peoples’ relationship to Hearing and Being Heard and how that changes through different factors in their lives like birth order, hometown, culture etc. I find the shape of the ear itself very fascinating, but I am especially interested in studying it beyond the aesthetic. I’ve been learning about the importance of ears in healing through acupuncture and piercings. Piercings are a beautiful intersection between aesthetic and function leading us back to listening—listening to our body’s needs. 

I sculpted these ears from my friends and loved ones, carefully studying the unique details in each person. Ears play an important role in auditory communication but not everyone communicates through sound. Morse code offers a more accessible form of communication—one that is both visual and transmitted through sound. It also removes spoken language barriers, becoming a kind of universal language. The installation includes a collection of wooden dots and dashes that invite the audience to form words, encouraging playful and intentional interaction.