Size – 2800x2800x2800mm / Materials – Angles, Wire mesh, Optical fiver, LED, Kitting wool, Cotton, Sponges
Project
The Hugging Cube
Type
Interaction Design / Installation Art
Context
Installation Exhibition with Mansoo Han, Jimin Song, Jimin Ahn, Sam Shin / 2016
The Hugging Cube
As we navigate life's challenges, each of us copes in our unique manner. Some seek solace in conversations with friends, while others rely on familial support. Personally, I find comfort in indulging in my favorite foods as a form of emotional release. Recognizing the diverse ways people seek comfort, my team and I concluded that an elaborate explanation of the term "healing" was unnecessary. "The Hugging Cube" embodies the message that 'A hug heals more than ten words,' mirroring the supportive presence of individuals we turn to in times of need through its designed interaction.
Process
Confined spaces are often perceived as restrictive, yet they can evoke feelings of comfort, akin to the embrace newborns experience when swaddled. To amplify this sense of enclosure, we constructed a confined space atop an open rooftop, accentuating the installation's form. Thousands of strands of yarn suspended from above cocooned our visitors, heightening their tactile and visual experiences, offering a personal sanctuary where "One hug heals more than ten words." Plush sponges and cotton lining the floor provided a soft, buoyant sensation, enhancing the overall ambiance. As night fell, the optical fiber ends embedded within the yarn strands illuminated like stars, creating an illusion of expansiveness.
