For as long as I can remember I have always worn glasses and have always had weak and sensitive vision, but didn’t think anything of it. Recently, all of a sudden I was told that it is worse than what it was five years ago and what I thought was just weak eyesight. I have what is called Keratoconus, which is a long term infection to the eye that makes the cornea a coned shape instead of being the normal round or oval shape. This reduces the amount of clarity and focus I have in my left eye, which is horrifying to know that it is possible for it to occur in my right eye also. When I was told officially what it was, and right then and there had the rundown of possible treatments and recommended surgery, I felt scared, trapped, and suddenly blinded, not only by vision but by the fact there was something wrong and I brushed it off. Keratoconus can be genetic, caused by hay fever, dry skin, harsh access to sunlight or excessive rubbing and itching of the eyes. I was definitely not prepared or aware of the consequences of a simple habit of rubbing my eyes, which makes it a whole lot worse knowing that I did it to myself. 

The main points/ideas in which I will show through my assignment are: 

Self-infliction and the fact that eyesight can be suddenly compromised 

The feeling of being trapped, scared and blinded 

What my left eye is like to look through

I will do this by using a glass/strong plastic transparent human sized maze placed on the waterfront, as it has a beautiful view and people of all age groups walk past. The maze is made up of the word blinded, but the word is not noticeable first glance. Up high, people can view the installation and people going through it. This is an interactive installation that is appealing and inviting on the outside so that people willingly go inside to have a look, using the idea of self-infliction. When the audience is inside the maze they are slowly consumed by the changing walls and their vision to see out of the maze and where they are going is suddenly close to none, therefore making them feel trapped, scared and blinded. This is an exaggerated version of what it’s like in my left eye because it may not seem like much to others but to me it’s a serious matter and so I want people to get the same feeling. This installation will have the effect to freak people out but there will be no harming involved. The installation can be entered both day and night. The sun shines through the glass during the day, and there are some solar lights that shine through when it’s dark, but of course not when people enter. 
The purpose of the installation is to act as an example or warning for people to expect the unexpected, especially when it comes to health as anything can happen to anyone at any time. Although my story is really mild compared to others going through complete blindness or any other health issue, I am still scared and unprepared for the up-coming future of my eyes.