As an extension of our sensory experience, each medium influences our aesthesis, our

first realization of the imprint any stimulus leave on our data processing. A well
assembled media plan has potential to condition collective perceptions, by altering
those of its individual members. Thus, reality itself can be manipulated, given that we
modulate the stimuli that trigger sensory perceptions.
Communicators use different media types to provide the materials for target audiences
to take ownership by creating their own experience and narrative. Individuals weave
the fabric of their beliefs with each perceptual or intellectual stimulus they process:
from listening to music, seeing an advertisement, to honoring intuition, it sews and
sets their ideas into place, reinforces emotions, and validates their belonging to
society.
The media has power beyond what any media consumption tool can quantify. Each
media vehicle can be smartly driven to challenge, bend and in some cases, deconstruct
the paradigms that build any societys cultural status quo. At the very least, it will
trigger a need to question, to see things from different angles, to seek answers beyond
those already predetermined by cultural discourse.
Our choice of media tools is of key importance to reach the right people, at the right
places, at the right time. However, collective paradigms must not be overlooked: they
strongly shape our perceptual filter and data processing. Right below our threshold of
awareness, this ongoing process fuels our biases, opinions and judgments. We
succumb to paradigms, often because we know no other way to belong or function.
This paradigmatic validation permeates politics, religion, and science- including
Medicine. In corroding its pledge to Do no harm; it is particularly true for Psychiatry.
As more technology allows further delving into brain structure and its function,
research consistently demonstrates genetic and biological deviations in illnesses such
as Manic Depression (Bipolar Disorder). Medical treatment seems to prevent more
scars on brain matter, as seen in comparisons of untreated vs. treated brains. The
Suprachiasmatic Nucleus (brains biological clock) also shows variances in the
CLOCK and TIMELESS genes, possibly causing the reduced need for sleep
characteristic of bipolar mania: the distinct feature of this disorder. Although its
mechanism is not yet elucidated, the genetic modification in research studies always
triggers manic behaviors corrected by lithium. Environmental factors can and do alter
epigenetics (gene expression) for some people, given a traumatic event or series of
events is pervasive enough.
Unlike mainstream culture promotes, treatment doesnt always equate the symptom
relief they ubiquitously display. This ideology erases the smaller percentages of
unresponsive patients from societys threshold of awareness. These ill people dont
exist in our culture, or within general medical narrative. There is no space for them in
the paradigmatic hegemony!
Therefore, patients fit one of two arbitrary archetypes: Untreated, or Treated. The
latter, by default, lead productive, fulfilling, successful lives. This notion keenly
executes struggling medicine compliant patients, as well as high-functioning (and
symptomatic) treatment resistant individuals.

Coping with a misunderstood brain illness is something trained professionals can

assist us with. As of being excluded to non-existence from collective awareness, people
are left to their own means. If remembered by a subgroup, it is part of a signification
gap where signifiers like productivity, success, normal, and high-function end up
taking up our space.
Another absent protagonist in societys narrative is the Self in treatment. It is too
often willfully ignored by physicians focused on the emblematic treatment outcome:
elimination of symptoms. Match said physician (often not a mental health specialist),
with a distressed patient whose judgment is compromised, unequivocally needing to
stabilize- and the Self is easily dismissed. Eventually, it will re-surface; given that not
only is this illness recurrent, it also enhances creativity, exuberance, and other goods.
Unfortunately, treatment dulls these while providing the essentials needed for our
better functioning. This loss of Self causes them to quit treatment- leading to crisis.
Being one of the high-functioning casualties of cultural discourse, Im particularly
sensitive to the paradigmatic exclusion embedded in social consciousness. Thus, I have
been employing one of my passions to expose my experience with an atypical form of
Manic Depression. This comprises the themes behind the conceptualization of my
multimedia sensorium.
My poem collection, Real Delusions, was published in 2011. I launched 2 blogs in 2012Spiralofdarklight: my ultra rapid cycling manic depressive self; and Bipolar Hues- with
Facebook and Twitter pages for updates. My writing style alternates poetry and prose,
often breaking traditional grammar rules to mimic the experience. Im also currently
working on a manuscript for another book. Since 2013, I volunteer for the International
Bipolar Foundation.
Through my art forms, I aim to challenge collective paradigms of mental illness by
presenting my own signification paradox. I will project a voice and image for my
condition through a multimedia collection: stripping the abstract layers off my
experience to its basic core symptoms. I chose to appeal to the senses because it has
more significant engagement potential, given we all share these filters: regardless of
our perceptual differences and capacities. This will help me establish a global villagenot just for bipolar patients, but welcoming those willing to understand beyond their
boundaries and external discourse.
The New School fosters innovative thinking, promotes the community spirit and
successfully provides the best tools for its students to reach their full potential. I find
the smaller class size allows for a closer collaboration between professor, student, and
peers- rightfully earning The New School national recognition. It also represents an
ideal environment to learn from other customs and backgrounds- beyond geographical
borders, because of its very culturally diverse student body. Its ongoing student
publications and activities allow to further exercise creativity, develop, and fine-tune
skills. The non-thesis program gives me the flexibility to better assess my strengths,
options and enhance my potential before committing to the thesis route. In
conclusion, Im confident The New School has the tools and education I need to better
tap into the collective psyche through the most engaging and effective mediums to
bring my sensorium to life.