Step into the Relaxation Destination. An intergalactic, mental wellness space lab featuring a burbling rainbow fountain, star-gazing, and an Infinitely Wise Cloud Being. In this video work, At Home Artist in Residence Meagan Longley guides the viewer through the lab’s many mental health amenities, including a guided meditation, and positive affirmations. Relaxation Destination mixes practical effects and set design, with animation and stereophonic sound, to bring this unique and soothing experience to life.
“Relaxation Destination” by Meagan Longley
If the stress and anxiety of the world is becoming too much, I invite you to step into the Relaxation Destination- a whimsical, portable fantasy spa that will put your mind and body at rest. Put on headphones and lie back with your smartphone to discover what the Relaxation Destination has to offer: moving through a dreamy art set while bathing in a calming soundscape; participants can work on their positive self image, receive positive affirmations from a cuddly cloud, and explore mindfulness and relaxation on a tour of stars far from our own. After a galactic session of digital R&R, participants can step back into their day with a smile.
As an artist my goal is to create pieces that provide avenues to escape from anxiety and sadness, and to inject fun and creativity into daily life. This project, because of the nature of its digital distribution, has a much wider scope of affect than my usual paintings or sculptural pieces. Anyone anywhere can enjoy this art, from the comfort of their own home, which makes it perfect as an artistic response to the COVID pandemic. Relaxation Destination is a unique multi-media piece; a 30-40 minute long video that takes place in the ‘set’ of a mixed media environment/diorama that I created. This narrative art piece’s story unfolds for the viewer as we explore the set during the video. It incorporates sensory audio elements, with stereophonic effects and environmental sounds, and sensory visual- with dreamy scenes and soothing animations. The goal of the piece is to give the audience a period of relaxation, and to foster positive mental health in a fun and creative way.
Relaxation Destination was inspired by my interest in exploring self-care and mental health through art, as well as ASMR videos, the Calm app, and popular culture programming like “Space Stretch”, “Bear in the Big Blue House”, and 90’s YTV.
PHOTOSENSITIVITY WARNING:
Portions of this video may contain flashing objects and lights.
Viewer discretion is advised.
The intent and purpose of this video is to promote mental wellness, calm, and self care in a fun way. If you fall asleep during this video, our job will be well done! We encourage you to curl up in bed with your device, and get cozy as you watch. Headphones are recommended for a fully immersive experience, as some sounds perform in stereo.
This video cannot replace any medication or professional treatment.
If you have sleep/anxiety/psychological concerns, please consult a professional.
ASMR: Autonomous sensory meridian response- A tingling sensation that typically begins on the scalp and moves down the back of the neck and upper spine. Signifies the subjective experience of “low-grade euphoria” characterized by “a combination of positive feelings and a distinct static-like tingling sensation on the skin”. It is most commonly triggered by specific auditory or visual stimuli.
CREDITS:
Written, filmed, directed and edited by: Meagan Longley
Sets and art created by: Meagan Longley, unless otherwise credited
Cloud cat: Grizz Michaels
C.A.L.M: Meagan Longley
Sound Effects credits:
Beer Head Fizzing in Glass 170428_1471.wav by megashroom
https://freesound.org/people/megashroom/sounds/390333/
Steam by altfuture: https://freesound.org/people/altfuture/sounds/174628/
Train arrival sound by lamamakesmusic
https://freesound.org/people/LamaMakesMusic/sounds/420655/
Personal recording of skytrain
Virtual glockenspiel from https://virtualpiano.net/?instr=glockenspiel
“Ambience, Wind Chimes, B.wav” by InspectorJ (www.jshaw.co.uk) of Freesound.org
“Ambience, Peaceful Synth.wav” by InspectorJ (www.jshaw.co.uk) of Freesound.org
https://freesound.org/people/InspectorJ/sounds/411460/ “Power Up, Bright, A.wav” by
InspectorJ (www.jshaw.co.uk) of Freesound.org
“Magic Bubbles Transition” by DDmyzik of Freesound.org
“[24] s-vibraphone penta down 2.flac” by arseniiv of Freesound.org
StarsTwinklingB.wav by aj_heels of Freesound.org
OuterRumbleA.wav by aj_heels of Freesound.org
Bar chimes 01.wav by ubik83 of Freesound.org
Bar_Chimes_Sweep_Down.wav by pjcohen of Freesound.org
Chimes by steffcaffrey of freesound.org
Rocket Thrusters-SoundBible.com
Tinkle by Lisa_Redfern
Mechanical keyboard typing https://freesound.org/people/GeorgeHopkins/sounds/537244/ by
GeorgeHopkins of freesound.org
“Program start” https://freesound.org/people/TheAtomicBrain/sounds/351878/ by TheAtomicBrain of freesound.org
“Fire place crackling” https://freesound.org/people/BonnyOrbit/sounds/484338/ by BonnyOrbit of
freesound.org
“Magic bubbles” https://freesound.org/people/Electroviolence/sounds/234546/ by Electroviolence
https://freesound.org/people/qubodup/sounds/126016/ “fizzle” by qubodup on freesound.org
https://freesound.org/people/Saviraz/sounds/512217/ “poof in cloud” by saviraz on freesound.org
https://freesound.org/people/Kyster/sounds/140615/ “bottle cork in and out” by kyster on freesound.org
https://freesound.org/people/florianreichelt/sounds/453168/ “footsteps in fresh snow”
by florianreichelt on freesound.org ( https://www.instagram.com/florianreichelt/ )
Special Effects credits:
https://www.videezy.com/fire-and-smoke/124-free-hd-smoke-stock-video by digitalmeals
https://www.publicdomainpictures.net/en/view-image.php?image=196585&picture=circuit-board
https://pixabay.com/videos/brain-medical-anatomy-mind-human-37422/
https://pixabay.com/videos/shooting-star-meteorite-meteor-52984/
https://www.videezy.com/abstract/38250-atmospheric-smoke-fog-effect-vfx-element-hazebackground-abstract-smoke-cloud
https://www.videezy.com/abstract/45056-downward-view-of-tea-preparation-on-a-mug
https://www.videezy.com/backgrounds/52503-cosmic-galaxy-with-nebula
https://www.videezy.com/backgrounds/5071-galactic-spiral-4k-motion-background-loop
https://pixabay.com/videos/solar-system-planets-space-sun-40505/
https://pixabay.com/videos/stars-glitter-sparkle-bright-light-37271/
https://pixabay.com/videos/stars-space-universe-the-stars-16650/
https://pixabay.com/videos/space-to-view-space-traveling-27770/
https://pixabay.com/videos/colorful-galaxy-blue-universe-18899/
https://pixabay.com/videos/flash-sparkling-bright-indigo-46353/
https://pixabay.com/videos/stars-blue-screen-magic-transition-44141/
https://www.videezy.com/abstract/46903-sparkly-wand-fireworks
https://pixabay.com/videos/chain-technology-board-background-25380/
https://pixabay.com/videos/particles-sparkling-pink-abstract-27584/
https://pixabay.com/videos/tv-effect-glitch-effect-technology-27228/
https://www.videezy.com/abstract/51711-abstract-nebula-space-background
https://media.giphy.com/media/cjEsz3TNmc6L16Xgek/giphy.mp4 Ear emoji from Emojivid
Music:
Scene 1, Breathing Intro: StarsTwinklingB.wav by aj_heels of Freesound.org
Scene 2: Welcome, Hello, Sign in
Scene 3: Tour: “Ambience, Peaceful Synth.wav” by InspectorJ (www.jshaw.co.uk)
of Freesound.org
Scene 4: Positive Self Laboratory: https://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music/track/relaxing
Scene 5-6: Star Bathing: “Ambience, Peaceful Synth.wav” by InspectorJ (www.jshaw.co.uk)
of Freesound.org
Scene 7-8: Cloud Cat Wisdom: https://www.purple-planet.com/tracks/crystal-waters
Scene 9-10- Goodbyes:
Scene 11: Credits: Space Arp F Chords.wav by esistnichtsoernst of freesound.org
Special Thanks
Thank you so much to Debbie Longley, Cory Longley, Jack Longley, Jadziah Longley, my Saskatoon family, Marites Carino, Chelsea Mackay, Ellen Dobrowolski, Rowan Guay, Selena Marchetti, Danica Spittal, Krista Nguyen-Forshner, Brittany Campbell, Dylan and Nick, Bing’s Furniture and Appliances, and everyone else who supports my art. Special appreciation and thanks go out to the Dawson Creek Art Gallery, and Haley Bassett, for selecting and supporting me with the 2021 DCAG At Home Art Residency Program.
(c) Meagan Longley, 2021
