Fear Plays, 2017

Pencil on colored paper

In a 1930s study conducted by Heinrich Klüver and Paul C. Bucy, the amygdala, a part of the limbic system in the brain which senses and produces the experience of fear, was removed from the brains of monkeys. After the procedure, the monkeys did not respond appropriately to their needs and could no longer function as members of a group. Although fearless, they were useless. In fact, fear is a vital function of any living being. It is crucial to not only experience fear but also to understand its mechanics, so that it is not only seen as a disruptive force but also a necessary element of complex living organisms.