Construction and installation of public comfort art : "Art as sanctuary"

Abstract

This paper illustrates the construction and installation of a public piece of art, hidden within which is an enclosed and private meditation space. In making the piece, the artist was influenced by the works of others as well as by her own previous works and personal experiences. The theory of deep touch pressure can be extrapolated to associate encapsulation within small, enclosed spaces with relaxation and the relief of anxiety. Through the fluid process of aesthetic development, the work evolved towards completion and fulfillment of the piece's goals. The result was a basket-like structure containing a close and comfortable space for decompression. Geared towards the MIT community, the piece also explored the effects of isolation and connectivity. Viewer interaction, made possible by a period of public display, remains a critical component of this artwork. There are various directions in which to move forward with the investigation, one of which is to explore the dynamics of multiple pieces in a single location.