The History:

Of late, I have been very interested in the idea of trust, more specifically, how it is that we learn to trust – the risks we take in the process and the faith we have in ourselves and in other people. For this project, I asked Ben Kinsley, one of my fellow graduate students to help me cut my hair. In the past, my friend Coral has cut my hair. Now I am faraway and this is not possible. So, I thought that I could call her on the phone and have her explain to me how to cut my own hair. This would be the ultimate manifestation of trust. However, I thought that it would be more fitting if I cut my own hair with the help of a person that I just met. Coral really never cut hair that often, so I was always her test subject. I eventually grew accustomed to the nervous uncertainty that came with her giving me a haircut. So I felt that it would be fitting to continue my exploration of faith in others through such a simple gesture, while also challenging the faith that I have in myself.

The Rules:

Ben and I sit opposite of each other and without speaking or touching, Ben acts as a mirror and directs me on how to cut my hair. My tools consist of a pair of scissors and a comb.

The Results:

We performed this haircut on September 10th at the home of Ben and Jess. It began quite well. We quickly developed a non verbal language in order to achieve certain results. In the beginning, I apparently cut off a large section of my hair leaving a bald spot. I didn't know it until Ben began laughing hysterically and then I began laughing in response to his laughter. It was hilarious!

It was quite an amazing experience to watch someone study you intently. At one point Ben was having trouble deciding what to do next and then he looked down and saw that he wasn't wearing his glasses. He picked then up and put them on and we both broke out in laugher. Later, Ben asked Jess to help him and for a while I was trying to make sense of two people instructing me. It took about five minutes to explain non verbally to Jess that I can't cut with my left hand, as she kept directing me to and wondering why I was failing.

In the end, the cut was pretty decent. Later, Jess cleaned it up a bit for me.

This project really focused my attention on communication and all the information that is lost in communicating with someone else. It becomes so important when words are absent to focus on the present moment and what is happening right in front of you. I don't think my mind ever wandered beyond the walls of their apartment during the entire process.

Special Thanks to Ben & Jess! Thanks for dinner, coffee, chatter, and "Set."