What was until recently a completely everyday, self-evident act of human encounter is suddenly no longer so: the mutual touch, the embrace or the handshake. Dutch artist Daan Roosegaarde (*1979) addresses this moment and the significance of this human connection in his expansive installation developed especially for the Draiflessen Collection. 

In the museum's 4,300 m3 exhibition space, Roosegaarde has created TOUCH, an interactive work of art that captivates visitors as they enter, creates a sense of wonder, and invites and inspires them to act without words. The fact that our perception and action are specifically directed towards this special act of connection unravels at the very moment of touch: this is the key to an imposing visual explosion that transports us and our counterpart into a new universe when the artwork’s electronic sensor field senses when two visitors join hands and through this interaction, light is then coded into thousands of star lights.

"Roosegaarde highlights an action that we must never again take for granted. He lets us perform a culturally and personally important act in a controlled way and opens our eyes in the same moment.  Instead of being afraid of the future, he consciously awakens curiosity about the infinite possibilities of the future, skilfully directs our gaze inwards as well as towards our counterpart and thus lets us become part of a universe" (Museum Director Dr Corinna Otto). The TOUCH installation makes it tangible that even the smallest shared interaction can have a big effect and change the world around us. It makes us feel how important it is to be part of a community, what forces can arise from consciously working together, and opens our eyes to how a shared future can be shaped.

Light is an essential design tool for Daan Roosegaarde. "Light is the symbol for new beginnings. To create a better world, we must first imagine it. In TOUCH we join hands to think about our common future." (Daan Roosegaarde)

About Studio Roosegaarde
Since 2007, Dutch artist and designer Daan Roosegaarde (* 1979) has been developing projects that combine technology and art as well as art and viewers. He develops new physical and mental spaces that open up a view of an alternative world. As a social design lab, Roosegaarde and his team combine people and technology in project designs that improve daily life in urban areas and at the same time stimulate the imagination. The studio has won numerous international design awards. Its internationally recognised work includes WATERLICHT (a virtual flood that shows the power of water), SMOG FREE PROJECT (the world's first large-scale outdoor air purifier that turns smog into jewellery), SMART HIGHWAY (roads that recharge during the day and light up at night), SPACE WASTE LAB (visualising and upcycling space debris) and URBAN SUN (cleaning public spaces from the corona virus). https://www.studioroosegaarde.net

TOUCH has been created in collaboration with "The Wellbeing Project" and the Draiflessen Collection.

Quelle: ivz-aktuell.tv