communication remains to be one of the most important but forgotten elements of a relationship. If we are devoid of outside stimulus and only focus on the other’s voice, are we more compelled to listen, to be empathetic?
a sneak peek, on hold because of COVID-19
Can the feeling of being supported by a community be simulated without in person human contact?
With COVID-19 around us, we cannot receive physical intimacy through many of our loved ones. I wanted to emphasize relief, feeling love and support through stimulating memory with touch. I’m curious to find out whether or not we can feel the physical presence of a loving community at home.
poplar, ripstop nylon, polyfil,
2019
In this piece, I am thinking about the collective strengths and outcomes of collaboration. In woven cloth, individual threads become a strong structure through the process of weaving, linking, and intersecting. In a similar sense, when people work together, not only are physical connections made but also perhaps connections made from human to human. I question what can be made through a communal process of free play.
pine, paracord, canvas, polyfil
2019
What are the different conflicts, joys, and compromises made throughout the exploration of a relationship? How much are we willing to work and give to maintain a balance?
You’re missing your family and haven’t seen them in a while. Phone calls replace physical presence with intimate conversation. Is that enough to remedy homesickness? From interviewing people in our community on the topic of home and family, we begin to understand the complex relationships between people and place. Our attachment to home is connected to the support and care that our family gave us. Now that you are away from home, what is it that you are missing? When was the last time you called home?
Homesick Hotline is a collaboration between Kathy Guo and Anna Huff. It is a functional phone line system where anyone in the U.S. can call in and listen to pre-recorded strangers talk about their families. We wanted to understand a few questions: What is it that makes home worth missing or not missing at all? How does the love we receive from our families translate to how we show love to others in our community? By listening to the curated topics, people can experience an illusion of intimacy with people they will never meet. The recorded responses are clips from 16 different interviews, which were then manually transcribed onto our Hotline Directory. The audio was edited and organized into different topics which were then inputted into the designed phone line system on a service called Twillio.
The Hotline Directory is also for sale to keep the phone line up and running. Purchase by clicking here: Homesick Hotline: A Directory
Twillio hotline audio flow
Pine, Basswood
2018
Inspired by the exercise leg swings in Chinese public parks, Semi-Permeable: An instrument that can only function when two people are balanced on the hinged platforms. The balance then allows for a collaborative and intimate walk or swaying. One person's movement is dependent on the other's.
Pine, Ash, Plywood, Nylon, Paracord, Polyfill
2018
An attempt to remember what it felt like to be cradled in my mother’s arms.
216"x4"
hand-dyed cotton woven in double cloth
Seemingly harmless everyday microaggressions build up and strangle over time. My identity is left with nothing but your assumptions about me.
36"x36"x36"
starch resist dye on cotton print, plastic vinyl, batting, PVC pipes
2017
As a highly sensitive person, I find myself often crying and overwhelmed by the stimulus of everyday life. This tissue box, which is inspired by my childhood hiding closets serves as a therapeutic space to heal.
Arduino, x2 Piezo, Canvas, Conductive Fabric
2018
A portable and practical piano to bring with you on your adventures! Just plug into a powerbank.
A toy trumpet rebirthed into a talented singing guy. Press his spots for different tones.
Match the pad corresponding to the light color! The longer you last, the faster it goes! You must achieve a score of 100 to win, but three strikes and you’re out!
This was one of my first Adafruit/arduino applications, experimenting with interactive play, and the capabilities of capacitive touch using conductive fabric.