Laughter: Lightness and Heaviness

A Sensory Ethnography film


Because of Aristotle's comedy and tragedy tale, the subject I chose was an open mic performance in a comedy club where I could observe the environment and people. People sat there, let go of their concerns of norms, and immersed in that moment. Almost all the materials comedians used to make jokes were really heavy subjects, such as politics, race, sex, and personal suffering. Comedians and hosts demonstrated different personalities on and off stage. 

Gusts of overly dramatic laughter that are almost faked feeling and dimmed lights created an ambiguous scene and a strong sensory experience. The research results are field notes and two edited Sensory Ethnography films, featuring one research subject and the whole experience respectively.