This video performance —a 5:27-minute, 16:9, 1920x1080px video with sound from 2018—explores a theme increasingly relevant in today’s hyper-productive culture: the surprising value of boredom.
“When you’re bored, your mind wanders. That’s only natural. The state of boredom is one where your attention is not focused on anything in particular. Researchers have shown this mind wandering is useful for creativity.”
Conversely, suppressing boredom in an effort to remain constantly productive is counterproductive in the long run. Research shows that pushing through dull tasks without acknowledging or breaking the cycle of boredom can significantly lower productivity later by depleting cognitive resources and causing attention to lag on subsequent tasks. This means that a bit of boredom—or “non-productive time”—is actually a valuable investment in long-term creativity and effectiveness.
Modern culture pressures us to maximize every moment, leaving little space for the regenerative aspects of downtime. Yet, these overlooked interludes not only restore our mental energy but also foster the kind of cultural techniques—like laziness and daydreaming—that have historically enabled both solace and innovation. As my artistic practice highlights, and as you’ll find documented on my website, embracing these quieter moments is essential to both creativity and well-being.
Let yourself be lazy. Welcome boredom. These are underrated cultural techniques that can lead to deeper satisfaction and artistic breakthrough.
This artwork is underscored by the legendary lyrics of The Rolling Stones’ “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” emphasizing the perpetual search for fulfillment—a pursuit that, ironically, may only find resolution in moments of idleness and reflection.