Compression Cradle

Compression Cradle is a machine that affectionately squeezes the body with a sequence of aerated volumes that hold you tight – in an attempt to prepare the self for a future that assumes a lack of human touch.

Compression Cradle looks like a remnant from a world we have not yet seen but might soon inhabit. One where mechanical touch may be an antidote for today’s ‘forever connectedness’, a behaviour that’s triggered a lonely disconnection with ourselves.

The visual appearance of this artwork, begs the question is this a device for sleeping, for pleasure or for performance? This innovation blurs the boundaries between entertainment and domestic space, presenting an indifferent format of voyeurism.

Through a choreography of touch sensations, this mechanism assists in altering the expression of oxytocin — the hormone released in the brain, responsible for building trust and pair bonding.

‘If we slowly de-evolve from physical touch wanting beings then potentially that could change species as we know it, which starts to tip into broken nature, extinction and how we are evolving and de evolving’

Exhibited at Triennale Milano this immersive artwork explores our current touch-deficit status, which will likely become more extreme in the future.

As people increasingly choose to live independently, technology vies for their affection. How will brands and business cater to society’s evolving physical and emotional needs?

Artist – Lucy McRae

Creative Producer – Alice Parker

Machine Fabrication – Machine Histories

Custom Soft Goods – Anjia Jalac

Studio Team – Minah Kim, Fiona Ng & Brendan Ho

Co-Curators – Francien Van Westrenen, Angela Rui, Marina Otero

Exhibition Design – Olivier Goethals

Graphic Design – Rudy Guedj

Photography – Scottie Cameron, Daria Scagliola

Special thanks to Keinton Butler, Guus Beumer, Mark Van Veen, Ellen Zoete, Angela Rui, Christiane Bosman, Steven Joyner & Jason Pilarski