right to sleep

Still in its initial stage, my project Right to Sleep’ critically engages with the contemporary shifts in our perception of sleep, addressing the pervasive influence of the capitalist system, driven by technology and globalization, on various facets of our lives, particularly sleep patterns. The relentless expectation for individuals to be constantly available and productive has led to a depletion of rest and the commodification of time within the framework of late capitalism. Drawing insights from Jonathan Crary’s book, 24/7 it highlights the current capitalist system disrupts traditional boundaries between day and night, work and leisure, ultimately blurring distinctions that once structured our lives. Notably, the average amount of sleep per person has diminished from one-third to one-fourth of the day.

This project aims to counteract the negative view of sleep perpetuated by the contemporary ‘hustle culture’ prevalent in the late capitalist world. It seeks to evoke a sense of nostalgia for a time when sleep was celebrated, cherished, and even immortalized in cultural expressions such as songs and lullabies. The focus is on reviving older ideologies that appreciated the significance of rest, manifesting through handcrafted blankets, sleeping pillows, and the tradition of embroidering poetry and illustrations onto sleeping sheets across various cultures.

Central to the project are ‘sleep masks’ that symbolize a deliberate disconnection from the demands of the world. Participants come together to craft their own sleep masks, drawing inspiration from diverse cultural art forms. The act of embroidery and crafting becomes a shared experience, emphasizing the communal aspect of reclaiming sleep as a valued practice. When wearing a sleep mask, participants symbolically withdraw from the constant stimuli of the external world, refraining from engaging with electronic devices. This intentional disengagement serves as a form of resistance against the pervasive influence of late capitalism. In the realm of sleep, the project asserts, lies a potent interruption to the continuous demands of capitalism, transforming rest into an act of resistance.