We often speak about architecture in terms of form and function, yet I find myself drawn to something less tangible: the emotional residue of a space. Certain places feel immediately comforting, whilst others carry an inexplicable sense of unease. Although difficult to define, this intuitive response is something many of us recognise instinctively.
KISSES is a collaborative installation that explores this phenomenon through the idea of energetic imprinting - the notion that spaces can absorb and retain traces of the emotions and experiences that unfold within them. Rather than simply responding to these invisible residues, the work asks a different question: what if we could intentionally leave behind something positive?
The project builds upon KISS, a work I previously created in which the lip motif first emerged as a recurring symbol within my practice. Over time, these lips have become part of an evolving visual language, representing intimacy, connection and the exchange of human emotion. Translating them into ceramic tiles allows the work to move beyond the gallery wall and into architectural space, transforming an image into something permanent, tactile and capable of becoming part of the environments we inhabit.
The installation consists of many (variable amount) of ceramic lip tiles, each with its background carefully masked so that only the lips remain exposed. Participants are invited to write a personal affirmation before attaching it to a paint-filled balloon and throwing it at the installation. As each balloon bursts, paint permanently marks the lips, creating a visual record of that affirmation. Every contribution becomes both an individual gesture and part of a larger collective composition, gradually building an artwork layered with colour, intention and shared optimism.
Participation has become an increasingly important area within my practice. Rather than positioning the artist as the sole author, KISSES explores the possibilities of co-authorship, inviting people from all backgrounds to become active collaborators in the creation of the work. Inspired by artists such as Félix González-Torres, the project questions traditional ideas of authorship by suggesting that meaning can emerge through collective experience rather than individual control. The artwork could never exist without those who choose to participate; every person leaves an imprint that becomes inseparable from the finished installation.
The proposal was originally conceived with hotels in mind. Hotels occupy an unusual position between public and private life. They are places where people temporarily create a sense of home, carrying with them celebrations, reunions, moments of reflection and new beginnings. Whenever I enter a hotel, one of the first things I notice is how the space feels. That initial atmosphere often shapes my entire experience.
KISSES seeks to contribute positively to that atmosphere. As guests participate, the installation gradually becomes a physical record of the affirmations, hopes and interactions that have passed through the building. The work is not simply displayed within the hotel; it is created by the very community that inhabits it.
The installation itself unfolds over several stages.
Installation
Walls are first filled with ceramic lip tiles, creating an immersive environment ready for participation. These tiles act as the canvas.
Participation
The background of each tile is masked with tape, exposing only the lips. Guests are invited to write a positive affirmation, attach it to a paint-filled balloon, and throw it at the artwork. As each balloon bursts, the installation becomes a record of individual gestures, each one contributing a moment of intention and connection.
Collection
Over time, layers of paint and positive intention build across the surface of the installation. What begins as a blank field of ceramic gradually transforms into a dense accumulation of colour, gesture and meaning. Every affirmation is carefully collected and archived, forming part of an accompanying publication that documents the collective voice of the project.
Legacy
Once complete, the masking tape is removed to reveal only the painted lips beneath. The installation is then separated into individual ceramic tiles and distributed throughout the hotel’s bedrooms and communal spaces, allowing each room to carry a fragment of the collective artwork. Rather than existing as a single fixed installation, the work disperses throughout the building, extending its presence long after the final balloon has burst.
Beyond the Artwork
The act of writing an affirmation is equally important to the person as it is to the artwork itself. In the moment participants begin to consider their words, a sense of positivity naturally rises to the surface.
At its core, the process encourages reflection on what one wishes to bring into their life, transforming a simple gesture into an act of intention. In many ways, this becomes a form of manifestation - where thought, language and action briefly align to create something transformative.
Alongside the installation, every affirmation contributed throughout the project would be collected and published within an accompanying book. More than simple documentation, the publication becomes an archive of collective intention - a record of the hopes, dreams and reflections that shaped the work. In many ways, it serves as a tribute to every collaborator whose participation transformed the installation from an individual artwork into a shared experience.
Ultimately, KISSES is an exploration of how art can leave behind not only visual traces, but emotional ones too.
Perhaps the most enduring aspect of the project is the possibility that a space can become more than somewhere we simply pass through. Through collective participation, KISSES proposes that art has the capacity to leave behind an invisible residue of kindness, hope and connection, one that continues to be felt long after the artwork itself is realised.
Realising the Proposal
Every proposal begins as a conversation.
If KISSES resonates with you, and you would like to collaborate in bringing this installation to life within your hotel or space, I would be delighted to hear from you. We can arrange a call to discuss the proposal in more detail, explore how the installation could be thoughtfully tailored to your space, and consider the possibilities of bringing the project to life together.
Please feel free to get in touch.
Instagram:
@asa.bamber
Email:
asasheppard@icloud.com