Sasha Bergstrom-Katz
Sasha Bergstrom-Katz is an artist and researcher working in the intersections between the history of science, psychology, cognitive sciences and perception studies through artistic and historical methods. Her practice-based PhD, On the Subject of Tests, acts as inquiry into twentieth century intelligence test kits developed for use in classrooms, workplaces and psychological institutions. The overarching project studies the historical, material and affective qualities of these test kits which ultimately serve as focal points to understanding hegemonic conceptions of progress, education, mental health, gender and race. For Creative Disruption, she will present footage from performance research into the administration of intelligence test kits and preliminary findings from this project.
Image Caption: Sasha Bergstrom-Katz; On the Subject of Tests: Rehearsing the Examination, 2021; Film still
Abstract
The practice-led project On the Subject of Tests: Rehearsing the Examination utilises theatrical rehearsal as a mode to study the performative dimension of psychometric testing. By casting actors in the role of intelligence test examiners, it was possible to study the ways in which the test manual acts as a script and the test kit acts as a prop. Further, this artistic research makes an inquiry into how an examiner performs the tests as well as how a subject of the test is a participant, observer and recipient of the performance all at once. In this presentation, I will focus on how rehearsal can be reimagined as artistic research method and will share preliminary findings from this process.