FAQs
What does this building do?
This building is open from Tuesday-Sunday from 1pm-3pm, allowing locals and tourists to come and engage their senses while fulfilling their search for real world versions of digital escapism. We have carefully studied the effects of digital trends such as ASMR, Mukbang, Slime, Breadfaceblog in order to design for and expand emergent subjectivities.
What is the reason for the shapes of the spaces?
The spaces in Building Emotion are inspired by corporeal forms. Researchers examining the online videos discovered that the human body’s presence is an integral part of engaging viewers’ emotions and sensations. Therefore, the spaces replicate human forms, as seen in the physical models below, paired with images of wrinkles, curves, and folds.
Why are you located in Iqualuit, Nunavut?
It wasn’t until 2019 that Iqualuit installed fibre optic cables for high-speed internet, and therefore digital trends are just gaining popularity. People in Nunavut spend more of their time engaging in physical environments and that fits our philosophy of real world immersive scenographies. Additionally, digital detoxes and wellness retreats have emerged to cleanse people’s screentime habits, and part of the retreat involves isolating oneself in a new place to escape the screen-routine. Iqualuit is worth making the trip!
What is ASMR?
ASMR stands for Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response. It refers to a relaxing sensation, often in response to particular delicate sounds. Whispering voices, tapping on surfaces, crinkling paper, and softly crunching food are all examples of sounds that trigger ASMR.
What is Mukbang?
Mukbang, originating in Korea, refers to video broadcasting the act of eating food (and often in large amounts). The host will talk and eat, providing a digital platform for sociable eating. The word Mukbang is derived from a combination of the Korean words for “eating” and “broadcast”. Below, popular Mukbang creator @Bloveslife is captured eating homemade tacos.
What is Slime?
Slime is a tactile toy containing of a mixture of glue, baking soda, and contact lens solution, combined with liquid dye for color and other textures to enhance the feel and sound. Slime videos are often enjoyed with the sound on for the goopy, snappy, and suction-like noises.
What is Breadfaceblog?
Breadfaceblog is an Instagram account with 194k followers, where a woman smushes her face into bread, curated and filmed to music, lighting, jewelry and painted nails.
Do the environments at BE change?
Due to the fast pace of digital trends, B.E. is designed with adaptable structures to keep up. Visit our menu page to see what is currently installed, and what is coming soon.
What should I bring/wear?
Wear whatever is comfortable for you in Nunavut’s arctic tundra climate. Once you arrive, we will provide you with a sensory singlet to change into. Building Emotion is designed to cultivate a hyperawareness of your self, and this begins when you squeeze through the change room walls and slip into the sensory singlet. You will drop your items and clothes into a container suspended from an overhead conveyor belt, which will deliver your belongings to you at the other side of the building before you exit.
Do several people enter a space at a time?
Yes, many people can enter a blob at once. We also have smaller blobs that one can experience alone.
