Karolina Żyniewicz

Word’s Matter is a project I run in collaboration with the Liver Center of Western New York at the University at Buffalo. Its realization started during a 2-month art&research residency organized by Coalesce: Center for Biological Art existing at the University at Buffalo. During the residency, I joined the liver center, observing their work with patients in clinical care and research. I focused on different forms of communication shaping the medical discourse related to hepatitis C and other liver diseases, different languages, such as spoken and written language, visual language, the language of metaphors, and language of stigma (very influential one in the case of hepatitis C prevention and treatment). The next step of the research is an interactive installation stressing what we say and how it can really influence someone else’s health. Three kinds of imaging showing liver scarring progression are animated by using stigmatizing or healing words. The participants see how the word they choose influences the progression or regression of the disease. The recipients’ feedback will be collected and analyzed. Artist Dmitry Morozov did the programming for the installation.

Every cabinet at the liver clinic is equipped with a plastic model of the stages of liver fibrosis. The model helps to understand the process, but it looks like a plastic toy. It is very far from the real images of the organ's appearance at certain stages. Additionally, it excludes the aspect of touching. In reality, the liver gets harder when sick, and its texture and color change. Tactile models of the stages of liver fibrosis are a part of the installation, but they can also be used during patient visits.