The concept of liminality, derived from the Latin word for “threshold,” often characterizes spaces of in-betweenness where time takes on a nonlinear dimension. For artist Benoît Piéron, hospitals embody such spaces, offering the potential for celebrating radicality amidst challenging circumstances. In his debut UK solo exhibition, “Slumber Party” at Chisenhale, Piéron weaves a narrative of time and healing by crafting a vast patchwork textile suspended from the gallery ceiling. Comprising discarded bed sheets collected from hospitals in the UK and France, this expansive marquee envelops visitors in a protective yet whimsical cocoon. With time as his chosen medium, Piéron invites us to stand beneath this canopy and explore the transformative power of reimagining hospitals as dream-like spaces, where time is supple, both personal and collective.

Rediscovering Childhood Forts:

Benoît Piéron’s artistic journey is deeply rooted in his personal experience with illness from a young age. He is particularly intrigued by the sense of community that thrives within hospital walls. The patchwork canopy, awash with comforting pastel shades of pink, blue, and yellow, evokes the childhood forts constructed during slumber parties. These makeshift sanctuaries, assembled from sheets and cushions, may not provide physical protection, but they serve as secure havens for sharing secrets and unleashing boundless imagination. As visitors stand beneath this monumental textile at Chisenhale, Piéron’s cathartic reinvention of hospital bed sheets becomes palpable.

The Art of Stitch and Stitches:

Within this context, the construction of the patchwork draws compelling parallels between a sewing “stitch” and medical “stitches.” It redefines itself as both a protective covering and a second skin. The visible stains and markings on the multicolored canopy echo the time-honored tradition of storytelling through quilt-making, where each repurposed cotton piece carries unspoken narratives, cherished and respected by the artist.

Talismanic Symbolism:

The suspended structure finds its anchor in a three-meter wooden table leg crowned by an oversized pin cushion, evoking a protective talisman, an embodiment of benevolent spirits. “Monica” (2023), a small soft toy bat handcrafted by Piéron from recycled hospital gowns, greets visitors at the gallery’s entrance. This creation resonates with the notion of animist protection, mirroring the plush toys often bestowed upon children in hospital settings to provide comfort and alleviate trauma.

Radical Softness” Illuminated:

Fifteen egg-shaped domes, each housing a revolving and gently flashing emergency light, are scattered across the gallery floor under the collective title “Radical Softness” (2023). In a departure from the typical fast-paced strobe associated with trauma, Piéron distorts the experience with a wash of pastels. The resulting light is softer and less severe, reminding us of the elasticity and personal nature of time.

Exploring Nonlinear Time:

Piéron’s exploration of nonlinear time within the context of hospitals and illness resonates with the concept of “crip time” studies. This interdisciplinary theory, which intersects feminist, queer, and disability studies, delves into the distinctive temporal experiences of individuals with disabilities, neurodivergence, and chronic illnesses.

The Waiting Room Aesthetic:

The faint yellow hues of the gallery walls evoke the atmosphere of a hospital waiting room, a space where the perception of time is profoundly affected by anticipation. Piéron aptly describes his creation as a “pajama party that celebrates the pause, the waiting.” His art provides a poignant examination of the expansiveness of the lived experience of waiting and the malleability of time. It emerges as a compelling and influential collective space that reorients our perception of existence.

Conclusion:

Benoît Piéron’s “Slumber Party” at Chisenhale Gallery transcends the conventional boundaries of artistic expression. Through his inventive use of discarded hospital bed sheets, pastel aesthetics, and symbolic structures, Piéron explores the potential for healing, community, and nonlinear time in the most unexpected of places—hospitals. As we step into this dream-like space beneath the suspended canopy, we are invited to rethink the rigidity of time and celebrate the profound transformations that can occur in in-between spaces, where the boundaries blur and possibilities abound.