Devikala Boominathan

Inner Resonance – Interactive Installations for Mental Wellness

Inner Resonance is an interactive installation that promotes mental wellness via tactile and emotional auditory experience. At the core of the installation, there lies a blanket made out of pressure-sensitive material connected to Arduino technology. As soon as participants start applying pressure, from a very light touch to firm pressing, sounds based on different emotions will be produced and varied in volume by the system in real time.

These include everything from ocean waves and soft rain to inspiring melodies and comforting ambient tones picked particularly to elicit or provoke a certain state of emotion, be it relaxation, comfort, or positivity. By engaging in sensory-driven interaction, the goal is to help participants tune into their feelings and enhance their mood.

The choice of a blanket came from expert insight. One expert described the blanket as a “non-judgemental” article, something people naturally use to cover themselves for warmth, safety, and comfort. Its familiarity and inclusiveness allow the individual to work with the installation without feeling that he is being judged or not performing properly, hence making the experience even more accessible and emotionally supportive.

It turns a fairly ordinary item into an interactive wellness artefact. Inner Resonance combines comfort, technology, and artistry to evoke emotions and teach self-soothing techniques. People press the blanket in different ways to see how soundscapes created by varying pressures come out. This approach personalises the experience of making one's own calming or even uplifting experience.

By merging tactile and auditory elements, Inner Resonance offers a novel pathway to mental well-being, encouraging participants to decelerate, involve their senses, and discover instances of emotional balance in a secure and unbiased setting.