Works

Spirit Systems of Soft Knowing ༊*·˚
Spirit Systems of Soft Knowing ༊*·˚ (2024)
Creative Direction and Lead Artists: Keiken, Production: Alexander Boyes, Haptic Womb Interactive Design: Edwin Dertien, Silicone Womb Fabrication Design: Chris Fitzpatrick, Haptic Womb Soundscape and Surround Sound: Waveovspace, Spatial and Installation Design: Sebastian Kite, Studio Management: Hekate Studios, Projection Visual Design: George Jasper Stone
Silicone, sound & haptic technology, LED lights, soundscape, fabric, wood, cushions, video mapping, fibreglass, colour changing pigment, caustic lights.
Amos Rex, Helsinki
Various dimensions.
Foundational haptic and silicone wearable research and development produced in collaboration with Ali Ball, Studio Above & Below, Lucy Page and agf HYDRA 2021-22. Commission courtesy of Amos Rex. Corporate partnership, technical guidance by Genelec. Project management: Itha O’neill, Curation: Terhi Tuomi, Construction and planning: Jussi Piironen, Lighting design: Marianne Lagus, AV design: Sohei Yasui, Public programmes: Alisa Närvänen, Laura Porola, Conservation: Mia Derichs, Coordination: Niclas Von Bonsdorff, Tii Laakso.
Images 1, 4, 6 and 9 by Niclas Warius and courtesy of Amos Rex. Images 2, 3, 5, 7, 8 and 10 courtesy of Keiken.
About
Spirit Systems of Soft Knowing ༊*·˚ is an immersive and interactive installation featuring a newly upgraded version of the haptic wearable womb (an embodiment sound & touch-led technology developed and created by Keiken). The site specific design is approached as an “interconnected ecosystem” where each element is alive and in tangent with one another.
Experience
Visitors are invited to step into a glowing, curtained-off installation surrounded by 7.1 environmental sound. The environmental sounds are spatial, harmonic and organic encapsulating you within the “ecosystem”. Once inside this shell-like spiral space, visitors can lie down on one of the four beds, which together form a meditative reef. The organic shapes of the beds are mirrored in the cluster of cushions within them, inspired by naturally occurring seed pods. Gazing upwards into the cavernous ceiling, visitors encounter a vibrating, star-like energy source that casts its radiance onto the space. Once on the bed, a ‘haptic wearable womb’ is placed on the visitor becoming an artificial extension of their body. Three dimensional vibrations and sound emit from inside the glowing womb and against their abdomen. Additionally, spatial sound, that mirrors the sensations from the womb, channels into the ears of the user through headphones. The sounds and vibrations consist of both animals and the environment, shifting between primitive and underwater mammals, sandstorms and space. The experience takes the audience on a journey that activates the energy from the abdominal area with the sounds of the universe to open a multitude of possible portals for the imagination. Shimmering in the airflow, an umbilical cord-like link connects the reef to the pulsating nebula in space above. The different elements of the work are tied together by a spatial underwater surround sound scape. The installation seeks to tune in to a non-verbal connection with different forms of existence, forms that may not even be attainable on a verbal or intellectual level.
Concept
Spirit Systems of Soft Knowing ༊*·˚explores the idea of extending empathetic connection and communication towards other species and other forms of existence. This tactile, spatial installation draws on the body’s energy currents, as well as non-verbal and energy communication. This embodied technology is a “tool of consciousness” that can be used to create a connection with the unknown and reactivate other conscious communication from the body. The background research for the piece is based on the studies of neuroscientist Paul Bach-y-Rita who explored sensory substitution and addition to rewire and expand the senses. Keiken investigate how embodied technology can amplify holistic experiences and expand consciousness into the unknown or forgotten.

Details

Spirit Systems of Soft Knowing ༊*·˚ (2024)
Creative Direction and Lead Artists: Keiken, Production: Alexander Boyes, Haptic Womb Interactive Design: Edwin Dertien, Silicone Womb Fabrication Design: Chris Fitzpatrick, Haptic Womb Soundscape and Surround Sound: Waveovspace, Spatial and Installation Design: Sebastian Kite, Studio Management: Hekate Studios, Projection Visual Design: George Jasper Stone
Silicone, sound & haptic technology, LED lights, soundscape, fabric, wood, cushions, video mapping, fibreglass, colour changing pigment, caustic lights.
Amos Rex, Helsinki
Various dimensions.
Interactive installation
Foundational haptic and silicone wearable research and development produced in collaboration with Ali Ball, Studio Above & Below, Lucy Page and agf HYDRA 2021-22. Commission courtesy of Amos Rex. Corporate partnership, technical guidance by Genelec. Project management: Itha O’neill, Curation: Terhi Tuomi, Construction and planning: Jussi Piironen, Lighting design: Marianne Lagus, AV design: Sohei Yasui, Public programmes: Alisa Närvänen, Laura Porola, Conservation: Mia Derichs, Coordination: Niclas Von Bonsdorff, Tii Laakso.
Images 1, 4, 6 and 9 by Niclas Warius and courtesy of Amos Rex. Images 2, 3, 5, 7, 8 and 10 courtesy of Keiken.