Emo-Shuns
Love and anger, which seem to contrast each other, are interconnected within the human experience. Anger, for instance, often finds its roots in the profound love we hold for something or someone. And conversely, love has the remarkable power to soothe the anger.
This interactive installation enables the participants to externalise those emotions. Through active engagement, participants delve into the therapeutic phenomenon of catharsis, a way of venting out and coping with such intense emotions.
In essence, the experience encourages us to rethink the complexity and polarity of the human emotional landscape.
Theory
Catharsis:
Catharsis is a psychological event that helps us release and purge our emotions. It's like having a good cry or talking to someone about how we feel when we're upset or angry. Catharsis allows us to let go of these strong emotions in a healthy way, which can make us feel better afterwards. It's important to remember that catharsis is different for everyone, so what works for one person may not work for another. But overall, it's a natural process that helps us deal with our feelings and move forward in a positive way.
Emotion Dyads:
Plutchik suggested that people experience eight core or primary emotions, which he arranged in opposite pairs on a wheel:
-
Joy and sadness
-
Trust and loathing
-
Fear and anger
-
Surprise and anticipation
Ideation
In the development of this installation, a matrix was created by brainstorming various cathartic actions and representations to be used in combination with these core emotions. From this exploration, several intriguing combinations emerged and were selected for prototyping.
Prototyping
Prototype intended to test electronics (built using Arduino UNO and required components)
Prototype to test one of the combinations (Punching-Anger-Opening of a door) from the above matrix.
Prototype to test one of the combinations (Punching-Anger-Balloon burst) from the above matrix.
Prototype to test an improvised combination (Hugging-Love-Melting) from the above matrix.
Initially, the idea was to explore a broader array of combinations and create different stations for each interaction. However, due to project scope and timeline constraints, the number of stations was limited to five. During prototype testing, it became evident that participants were more engaged with two specific combinations, often weaving narratives and drawing connections between them. This insight led to a strategic pivot: focusing on scaling up these two combinations through further experimentation with materials and mechanisms.
Heating Mechanisms
Air Pumping Mechanisms
Visualization
Before constructing the final installation, two potential designs were visualized using Autodesk Maya. In the images below, the slender cylindrical structures symbolize the human audience, while the thicker cylinders represent the interactive podiums.
A heart that melts upon interaction will release droplets of wax onto an inflating balloon, eventually causing it to burst.
Wax droplets from the melting heart and the liquid from the bursting balloon will flow down, meeting at the bottom to close the gap.
Final Installation
Considering the project deadlines and the complexities involved in the construction process, it was decided to proceed with a simplified version of the first design. This approach ensures that the installation can be completed efficiently while still meeting the project's core objectives and maintaining the affect.
The final installation features a single station comprising two podiums, each dedicated to one of the selected interactions. This setup invites participants to engage with the installation on their own terms, allowing personal interpretation and reflection on the emotions explored.
Guided by:
Dr. Jignesh Khakhar | Shobhan Shah | Kaushal Sapre | Rashmi Bidasaria | Colette Copeland | Suvani Suri | Veena Venkateswaran