Stimpathy. To Be Free(k) in Connection

Stimming (self-stimulatory behavior) is the repetitive movements and sounds that neurodivergent people create to regulate emotions and sensory processes. Despite the increasing discussion of neurodiversity, stimming is still rarely viewed as a meaningful somatic, cultural, or relational practice. It is often dismissed, corrected, or pathologized.


They aim to change this view by engaging with neuroqueering—a practice defined by Dr. Nick Walker as the simultaneous rejection and subversion of neurocognitive and gender norms. The practice of stimming challenges both neurocognitive and gender norms, making their artificiality very clear.


The intersection of gender and neurodiversity influences how people move around the city and use its facilities for work, leisure, socializing, shopping, learning, commuting, and more.


With this project, they aim to make visible what is usually hidden in order to empower neurodivergent people and normalize stimming behavior in public spaces.


Monika Popiel & Paweł Świerczek are a duo working together and separately in the performing arts and related fields. Since January of this year, they have been developing the STIMPATHY project, which explores neurodivergent embodiment and stimming, as part of the Fresh A.I.R. residency at the Berliner Leben Foundation.