Interactonia Balloon : Artwork Using A Balloon to Evoking and Amplifying of the Feeling of Tension by Induction of Active Breathing(<Special Issue>Arts & Entertainment 3)

Abstract

In the field of cognitive psychology, it is known that some kinds of affects are evoked when we recognize the change of our specific body responses. Based on this knowledge, there are some studies to evoke an affect using artificial stimuli that make people feel as if their own body reactions change. On the other hand, we hypothesized that specific affects can be evoked by conscious controlling of body actions. We focused on the respiratory condition related to the feeling of tension since it can be controlled not only unconsciously but also consciously. Then we made an artwork named "Interactonia Ballon," which evokes the feeling of tension by letting participants change their respiration and making them self-conscious about their respiratory condition. The inflation of the balloon visualizes how they feel tension and amplifies the feeling. The work also provides paradoxical experience that balloon inflates by intentional holding breath and deflates by intentional exhaling breath. We exhibited Interactonia Balloon and got feedback about the work.