About:
B. Mercer
29 Jan 25
‘Are You Better Yet?’ explores the idea of art as a tool for self-improvement rather than solely as self-expression.
The instructional score is informed by my personal experience of an ischemic stroke in late 2019, which resulted in complete motor loss on the right side of my body. Rehabilitation has centered around repetitive physical exercises, designed to forge new neural pathways and re-establish movement.
‘Are You Better Yet?’ examines the intersections of recovery, repetition, and the transformative power of art in reshaping the self. It critiques the societal expectation that healing follows a straightforward, linear path, with the pressure to quickly ‘get better’ or return to a previous state. In reality, recovery is often nonlinear, involving setbacks, adjustments, and a redefinition of what it means to be well. With this work, I challenge these norms, positioning art as a space to embrace the fluid, evolving nature of healing and the continual process of self-reinvention.
I invite you to share your responses or interpretations of the piece, whether in comments, audio, or video form. I’m keen to hear your thoughts and experiences.