Breath of Light: Reclaiming Shared Breathing Through a Meditative Installation

Abstract Breath of Light is an immersive breath-responsive installation aiming to reclaim the connective act of sharing breath in public spaces. During the exhibition at the 13th Shanghai Biennale in March 2021, the lead author interviewed and observed participants to better understand their experience. A follow-up interview conducted in January 2023 illustrated the work’s long-term effect on participants. This technological mediation of breathing explores its transformative potential to revive connective connotations of shared breathing and cultivate interoceptive awareness, reflection, and interhuman connection during the pandemic and beyond with the use of breathing interaction, metaphors, symbols, and ambiguous instructions.