‘Empathy Channels’ is an ongoing series of performances, exhibitions and site-specific installations based around hand-knotted, soft-sculptural expanses woven from wool, rope, twine, cotton, and other found fibers. Woven into an intricate pattern of delicate mesh and gnarled woolen lumps, the work began as a collection of ‘suits’ to be worn in participatory performance by dancers and meditation specialists.
Out in the unsuspecting-wild, the empathy-suit performances offer an opportunity for the viewer to encounter ‘other’ bodies with curiosity and tenderness. In some settings, musical improvisation and breathing-soundtracks assist in direct audience participation( PRESS- “Wellness and Utopia” Brooklyn Eagle). In others, pieces of the sculpture are installed as an immersive space, where visitors are challenged to practice mindful breathing and ‘find a moment of calm within the chaos‘. Empathy Channels performances and installations aim to inspire mindful reflection on how we relate to one another, and serve as a reminder of the experiences we cannot always see, but often share.
Zoey A Hart 