The Relational Body Project, 2023 (ongoing)

The project's primary goal is to actively encourage a different perspective on the human body – one that looks inward rather than fixating solely on its external appearance. Instead of primarily concerning itself with the body's outward appearance, this project seeks to emphasize the fundamental role of the body in securely housing and supporting all of our internal organs.

In recent years, the body has been a central topic in society. The social movement called ‘Body positivity’ promotes the acceptance and appreciation of all body types, regardless of shape, size, or appearance. Although movement seeks to challenge societal beauty standards, which often prioritize thinness, youthfulness, and a certain aesthetic ideal, the outward-facing layer of the body is still ‘Body positivity’ has gained momentum in recent years, fueled by social media and a growing awareness of the harmful effects of body shaming and unrealistic beauty standards. The movement has been embraced by people of all ages, genders, and body types, and has inspired a range of initiatives, from body-positive fashion campaigns to social media hashtags.

From the perspective of designing for awareness and learning opportunities, I hold a personal viewpoint that some aspects of the movement appear counterproductive. Body positivity, fundamentally, aims to foster self-love, acceptance, and inclusivity while rejecting detrimental societal standards that often result in body shame, anxiety, and diminished self-esteem. This movement urges individuals to celebrate their strengths and embrace their distinctive attributes, instead of allowing their appearance to define or confine them. However, it's worth noting that a significant portion of the encouragement within the movement is still centered around body size, predominantly emphasizing messages of support for plus-size and overweight bodies.

In regards to this project, the design promotes the awareness of “real” bodily functions as well as researches the question of a way to visually stimulate the interoceptive qualities of the body. By turning the perception of the body from the outside to the inside, the learning process aims to display the functions of the body that are mostly unrevealed to people. Interoceptive capabilities play a fascinating role in cognition and perception. These inner senses enable us to perceive and understand the internal states of our body, such as heartbeat, respiration, and visceral sensations. This intricate system of internal perception profoundly influences our conscious experience and decision-making processes. Interoceptive signals contribute to our emotional awareness, helping us decipher feelings of joy, anxiety, or discomfort. Additionally, they are integral in regulating physiological responses, like the fight-or-flight response, which directly affects cognitive functions such as attention, memory, and problem-solving. This intricate interplay between interoceptive capabilities, cognition, and perception underscores the remarkable interconnectedness of our mind and body, shaping our perception of the world and our ability to navigate it effectively.