Note: Any articles mentioned will be linked at the bottom.
Heart Orgasm is one of my favorite terms to use.
I first heard of “Heart Orgasms” when I was studying the art duo FASTWÜRMS in college. They are an Ontario based couple comprised of Dai Skuse and Kim Kozzi.
As an interview by Mark Laliberte from 2009 states:
Formed in 1979, FASTWÜRMS is an ongoing avatar-artist cultural project, the trademark and the joint authorship of Kim Kozzi and Dai Skuse. These Toronto/Creemore-based multidisciplinary artists create art works that meld high and popular cultures, bent identity politics, social exchange and a no-budget cinematic sensibility. FASTWÜRMS is a Witch identified art practice based firmly on punk and DIY outsider traditions. Employing a dark but often playful sense of humour, they freely mingle media, disciplines and art forms to question nature, the environment and issues of power.”
In a separate article written for cmagazine98 by Jon Davies is when I first came across the term.
[quote] “When I mentioned how little academic attention the phenomenon of animal cuteness receives and the oftentimes physical, gut reaction felt in the face of cuteness, Skuse dubbed the feeling a heart orgasm and slyly pointed out that this visceral response is precisely what many find lacking in contemporary art, a cool detachment that some blame for arts inability to attract a lay audience. It is no surprise that animal imagery is so omnipresent in visual culture, considering how its pleasures are so instinctive and affective.” [/unquote]
I was immediately drawn to this term. Having a word to describe how the heart feels when faced with something you deem incredibly cute was inspirational to me. After researching the duo further and reflecting on the term itself, I decided to start using the term regularly.
As I continued to use the term throughout the years, it’s meaning started to grow and change. Now I use it for anything that makes my heart feel big or excited. For example, it could still be a cute cat, but it can also be finding a beautiful tree, seeing a wonderful show, listening to music that inspires me, etc.
I find that when I first use the term with people, it can be awkward, as it is not a common term. I usually explain the origin so that people can have an understanding of the meaning. However, being able to express that type of feeling that never had a word that quite felt right to me is empowering. I will continue to use this term. I hope that as the years continue to pass, the term continues to grow and change as my vocabulary also grows and changes.
Article with Quote: FASTWÜRMS (jondavies.ca)
Article with Interview: Fastwurms inteview (marklaliberte.com)
Photo taken and edited by Luna Fyrewillow.