When a Deaf Person is Around, 2018

When a Deaf Person is Around belongs to Kim’s ‘Sound Diet’ series, in which the artist—who was born Deaf (and prefers to capitalize the term)—casts herself in the role of a doctor or nutritionist prescribing suggested amounts of spoken and signed language across six everyday scenarios in which both Deaf and hearing people are present. The notation p (for “piano” or “soft”) signifies quietness or use of sign language, while musical notes denote quantity and intensity of sound or spoken language. This series was initiated after the birth of Kim’s daughter, who is hearing, and reflects Kim’s navigation of sound and communication within her own household.