Through this artwork, I am aiming to create a method to visualize empathy.

When you touch animals, you can feel their power, for example, the heartbeat, the body temperature, the texture of the fur or skin, and so on. This is also true when we simply hug another person. There are times when, through a hug, we can feel the person’s happiness or sadness or anger. This power is an important aspect for making a positive connection with others.

In this installation, I use a few lighting spheres and acrylic poles. When people interact with a sphere, there will be changes in light and sound. The real-time analog feedback depends on the power or strength of the touch. If the touch is gentle, the light becomes slightly dim. If the touch is very strong, the light may become dark. Once there is no interaction, the light will become bright again.

With this installation, I want to show how, through simple interactions, we make new relationships with others and might be made aware that each and every one of these can contribute to the strengthening of humankind. I believe this is the true meaning of empathy.