I can remember my visit to the Edinburgh floatarium years and years ago. It was known that I liked the idea of experiencing different feelings and the gift visit didn’t disappoint.
At the time (I’m not sure if this is still the case) the floatarium was a jacuzzi type pool sized for one with a big lid that came encased the body temperature bath in darkness.
I did float and remember it being comfortable for me. It brought memories of me when I was very very small and able to lie face down in the bath in my snorkel and goggles while looking at the bubbles on the plug hole.
Now, a visit to the Edinburgh Floatarium is as likely to involve a waxing and or bleaching. While trying new sensations is the objective of the exercise, I’m not sure I’ll go a far as the Brazilian as an art form.
What do you get in a floatarium? Well you should feel relaxed because of the peaceful/quiet atmosphere and the fact that the water reduces the effect of gravity on the body. Nothing is new, and people have been scuba diving for years. Clearly swimming about, weightless while exploring clear Carribean waters or Zero Vision UK river beds is something which has been enjoyed over the years. As have cave explorers or cave divers where climbing through crevices and ravines is de rigeur
The idea that these features (of culture) have existed as long as technology has allowed them to, shows there is a market for such experiences. Art though? My opinion is that if an artist or curator manipulates the environment to allow an audience to feel one way or another or even manipulate the audiences’ feelings themselves, there is at least, a tool to create art. Or architecture.
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