The Original Idea
Initially, the concept behind the blanket was to design an interactive piece that would hug the audience using 'soft robotics' technology. While the idea evolved over time, the fundamental notion of promoting self-compassion and self-care has remained unchanged.
Description Coming back to the soft spot of my heart, embracing my broken soul, finding my inner peace, and reconnecting to the random parts that I love and hate about myself. After a long period of self-destruction, now it’s time to give myself a big, tight hug for as long as I need.
This personal message is conveyed through an interactive blanket installation that allows visitors to sit in the middle and experience a hug from the blanket. When you are not at your strongest spot, being passive is not a sign of weakness but instead, acceptance. Let’s allow ourselves to be an object for a bit, deconstruct our perception and let an object like a blanket gives us a warm hug.
_________ (the blank_et) is a piece of skin-like material large enough to enfold most of one's feelings, to embrace the fragility, and thick enough to keep the heart warm by trapping kindness, compassion, and self-forgiveness that otherwise the warmth would be lost through the winter of life.
Technique
The technology inside the blanket is a 'soft robot', a silicon-based robot that can be moved by using air pressure. The robot is shaped in a hand-like form, the fingers of the hand can be moved upwards to hug the center of the palm when receiving the air pressure that is sent from a person who sits on the palm part. The cover of the soft robot that is seen by visitors is made from natural rubber that looks like human skin to portray the idea of body, home, and mind connection.
Materials
Liquid silicon
Ribbons
Glue gun
Cardboards
1/8” PVC tubes
Half yoga ball
Liquid natural latex