By
Yidi Chen
Silvia Wu
Our artwork Nest draws inspiration from Maslow‘s Hierarchy of Needs theory. In an era marked by technological advancement and material abundance, people still deeply crave spiritual pursuits and a haven to fill the emptiness of their material lives. The key element of Nest is a multi-sensory experience that encourages the viewer to interact and make connections between the materialand spiritual realms; by immersing viewers in our work, we hope to evoke a shared sense of comfort and pleasure and provoke reflection on seeking personal refuge in the complexities of modern life.
Using light sensors, servos, and an Arduino, our interactive installation allowed flower petals to embrace the audience as they sat down gently. In addition, Nest incorporated a participatory activity - visitors could write their feelings on cards and hang the cards on the legs of the chairs - transforming Nest into a dynamic space for collective reflection and connection, creating a better connection between our work and people. As viewers find themselves tenderly embraced by our work, the Nest transcends its physical form.