performance & installation, 2021
Lena Chen & Michael Neumann

The Institute for Mediated Intimacy explores intimacy, isolation, and connection through individualized roleplay sessions that attempt to bridge the distance between strangers and reveals how social distancing has altered our relationships.

Two strangers in different cities engage with each other through remotely controlled human avatars whom they instruct to speak and act on their behalf. The conversation and interactions evolve according to the audience members who can manipulate the avatars to embody their emotions, desires, and commands with intimate and absurd results.