The Human Weighted Blanket Project

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THE

'HUMAN WEIGHTED BLANKET'

PROJECT

Montreal, Canada

Oct 2021

The Human Weighted Blanket Project is the first public piece from the Artist Red Jay aimed to help tackle the secondary pandemic accompanying COVID-19 of mental health deterioration due to isolation, loneliness and lack of physical touch.

The piece is intended to act as an antidote to this universally felt ‘distancing’ by offering a vicarious experience of human physical contact, yet achieved through the medium of video. It poses the questions; Can we live vicariously through art? Can a piece of art heal the mind and if so, can it act as a well-being resource to return back to time and time again?

'Human Weighted Blanket'

The piece takes the form of a video that invites three Montrealers struggling with their mental health, who had seen their symptoms worsen during the pandemic, into a studio to test out a specially designed weighted blanket. The participants include a transgender musician dealing with the suicide of their first love, a Syrian refugee who moved to Canada because of the war and a young student who was struggling with her family being on the other side of the world. Unbeknownst to the participants however, the weighted blanket in question was actually made up of human platonic touch therapists, ranging from professional somatic body workers, massage therapists and professional cuddlers. The video follows their journey throughout the day as they share their story, have the truth revealed to them and then ultimately decide if they want to take advantage of the offering.

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THE

'HUMAN WEIGHTED BLANKET'

EXPERIENCE

World Mental Health Day Launch Event

The Human Weighted Blanket Video was complemented by a live installation - 'The Human Weighted Blanket Experience', at WIP Gallery in Montreal, coinciding with World Mental Health Day. It marked the official release of the video which premiered at the event. The combination video/art installation signalling a template of Red Jay's practice and future pieces to come.

Free Public Offering

The event offered the opportunity to the general public to experience the Human Weighted Blanket for themselves. The day elicited an overwhelming response in the willingness of people to come down and participate as well as in the reactions of those who surrendered to the offering.

Spreading The Message

The event was well attended by patrons and media alike, such was the importance of the themes explored with the piece. CTV and Global News provided national coverage, while several Montreal outlets helped to amplify at a local level. You can learn more by checking out our media page.