Transforming the Physicality of Emotion
Symposium:
- ISEA2011: 17th International Symposium on Electronic Art
- More presentations from ISEA2011:
Session Title:
- Emotion Studies in a Contemporary Art Debate
Presentation Title:
- Transforming the Physicality of Emotion
Presenter(s):
Venue(s):
Abstract:
Panel: Emotion Studies in a Contemporary Art Debate
Where do emotions reside? Are they the sole property of the body or do they resonate in the interstitial spaces between the material world and ephemeral realms; in invisible but palpable electronic spaces, in virtuality, in spiritual and ancestral realms in indigenous cultures? As research develops in Affective Computing, creating computing devices that embody emotions, – recognizing, expressing, and simulating emotions in their interaction with users. In the field of Emotion Design can we instigate spontaneous emotions? Is there an electronic mimesis that can empathize with the user? Inspired by the power of ritual and ceremony in indigenous cultures, in my artwork I juxtapose objects with video projection. The object maintains a powerful reference with a cultural and social meaning, while multiple video projections intervene.
These video/multimedia installations transform the emotion embedded in the digital video, the ephemeral stream of electrons into the mimesis of the body, into spaces of memory and imagination. Contemporary research shows that the engagement of emotions is essential for analytical and creative practice. Historically, Marshall McLuhan advocated for kinesthetics in the activation of our sensory perception, calling for the integration of the senses. Moholy Nagy, in his book Vision in Motion, says that we need to add emotional literacy to the development of our intellectual literacy, which includes an education of our sense, giving people the ability to articulate feelings and emotions through a means of expression. As a multidimensional processing, transforming and communication environment, can the computed experience stimulate interactive kinesthetic emotional experiences.