Sister Silencio’s Travelling Confessional is a participatory art project staged in public spaces which explores forgiveness and renewal, learning to listen, and the therapeutic potential of talking to strangers.

People are invited to step inside and make their confession; unburden themselves; or just go on about something their loved ones don’t want to hear.  Another person is invited to hear the confession, or it can be heard by Sister Silencio (not a real nun).  Confessions are received with only silent acceptance: no opinions; no analysis; no advice.  In the place of the Catholic process of penance and absolution, a comfort card is passed wordlessly to the stranger in return for their confession.  No penance is required, and the soul is eased.

This work carves out a devoted physical space in the public realm for strangers to encounter each other and delve deeper into momentary intimacy, with the possibility of slightly changing each other’s course for the better. In this way, it makes public space a place where art is made by the people, and strangers are encouraged to linger, beyond a single glance, to reflect and renew in communion with one another, before moving onward into the rest of their day.

The project’s physical set-up creates a visual impact in the public space. The confessional booth offers a temporary space activation, stimulating curiosity and engagement with the work.

Contact with strangers is often wordless, gestural.  Shared glances; wry smiles; raised eyebrows; or a look of curiosity.  It is nice, and comfortable, to speak sometimes; to acknowledge with words our common presence in a moment, or the shared witnessing of a scene.  To check or deepen our mutual understanding of it.  To apologise, excuse, or clarify our intention; to not be misconstrued.

This project is a test of what really needs saying.

“There is another kind of intimate relationship, one that holds us together for just a fleeting moment and then vanishes.  Its brief and bounded nature takes nothings away from the reality that an intimate moment has been shared: unguarded, honest, with meaningful interior echoes.  This is street intimacy.”

Kio Stark, 2016, When Strangers Meet, TED Books.

The Confessional made its first appearance at Winter Wonderland on Mandurah Foreshore  on Friday 25 and Sunday 27 August 2017.

Sister Silencio’s Travelling Confessional is part of the Humans Like Humans project series.