Creative Capital

Description

Inspired by conversations with Temple Grandin, a well-known animal scientist who is also autistic, the artist conceived of and designed the Squeeze Chair as a simulated embrace: a large overstuffed chair with fat tear-drop shaped arms that inflate, holding the sitter in a firm squeeze or hug. By mechanically applying an even pressure over the body, the squeeze chair creates a calming effect without the terror and over-stimulation of human touch. Although the chair has been shown in art contexts, much of the attention it has attracted has been from the autism community.