daniel sher's objects strengthen long distance relationships

daniel sher’s objects strengthen long distance relationships
photo © jonathan levinson
all images courtesy of daniel sher

present day technology allows us to hear, text, see, and use pictures and icons to express how we feel. however, there are physical and emotional dimensions that exist only when we’re close to loved ones. in response to this problem, daniel sher asked herself, ‘how can I use technology to bring people closer in a different yet familiar way? it was important to me not to try to reenact the feelings of touch, pressure and warmth we feel when we hug of caress our loved one. trying to imitate that will always feel fake.’ with this understanding of human interaction, she wanted to create new experiences for those who wish to express their love and affection. as a result, for her final project at holon institute of technology, sher, along with ben hagin, has developed ‘saying things that can’t be said’, a series of objects that revolve around people in long-distance relationships.

video by jonathan sher, courtesy of daniel sher

the first pair, which is called ‘I’m with you’ transmits heart beats across space. as a person holds the object in the palms of their hands and places it upon their chest, the sphere on the receiving end of the message begins to flutter, indicating that they are thinking of their significant other.

‘I’m with you’

the second collection includes a paper vane or pinwheel. as it is blown and rotates from one end, the electronics of a bubble machine are activated and begin to float throughout a room on the other end.

views of the pinwheel

bubbles at the show

playing with the bubbles

the last pair of objects, which refer to ‘sending a kiss’, is activated by wind. on the sending side, there a small microphone inside a ‘flower’. the synthetic plant is protected by a glass bell with a small tube, that allows only intentional breaths to reach it. when the microphone senses someone is blowing into it, a signal is sent to a small motor that moves the wings of a butterfly on the receiving side.

the mechanisms side by side

video by jonathan sher, courtesy of dan sher

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.