Capturing Emotions Through Music and Sculptures in a Cross-City Journey

No. of Participants:	100+
​Nature of Event:	Collaboration
Products Used:	Upmood Band/App
Metrics Collected:	Mood, Stress level, BPM, Valence level

Introduction

As part of their Encounters Across Cultures 2023 initiative, Swire Hotels partnered with artist and music producer Vicky Fung, media artist Keith Lam (Dimension Plus), and musicians Tjoe and Wan Pin Chu to explore the intersection of technology, emotion, and art. Over three months, the artists traveled to four cities—Beijing, Chengdu, Hong Kong, and Shanghai—each with personal or emotional significance. Using Upmood's emotion monitoring technology, the team captured the travelers' biometric data, including heart rate variability (HRV), to map their emotional states during the journey. This data was then transformed into music and multi-sensory data sculptures, creating a unique exhibition that toured various Swire Hotels. The project aimed to challenge the perception of technology as cold and lifeless, instead showcasing its potential to enhance creativity and human connection.

Why Upmood?

Upmood's technology was essential in bridging the gap between emotion and art. By providing accurate, real-time biometric data, Upmood enabled the artists to translate intangible emotions into tangible creative outputs. The ability to capture and analyze emotions across different environments and activities made Upmood the ideal tool for this innovative project.

The collaboration demonstrated how technology can enhance artistic expression and create immersive experiences for guests. Upmood's role in the project highlighted its potential to transform data into meaningful, emotional narratives.

Key Outcomes and Exhibition

The exhibition, which toured Swire Hotels for three months, featured a series of multi-sensory data sculptures and musical compositions. Each piece was a direct representation of the travelers' emotional journeys, allowing audiences to connect with the artists' experiences on a deeper level.

Key highlights of the project included:

🎵 Music Compositions: Vicky Fung used the emotional data to create music that reflected the travelers' feelings in each city, from the excitement of exploration to the nostalgia of returning to familiar places.

🖼️ Data Sculptures: Keith Lam (Dimension Plus) transformed the biometric data into interactive sculptures, blending technology and art to create a visual and tactile representation of emotions.

🌍 Cross-City Connection: The project showcased how technology can bridge geographical and emotional distances, creating a shared experience for audiences across different locations.

The exhibition received widespread acclaim for its innovative approach and ability to connect audiences with the emotional essence of each city.

Thank you!

This collaboration between Dimension Plus and Upmood demonstrated the transformative power of emotion monitoring in the creative arts. By capturing and translating emotions into music and sculptures, the project challenged the notion of technology as cold and lifeless, instead showcasing its potential to enhance human connection and artistic expression.

For organizations and artists seeking to explore the intersection of technology and emotion, please send us an email at support@upmood.com!