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In an earlier post, Art That Remembers, we explored the idea of legacy built on ongoing presence, not permanence. We argued that art should grow alongside the people and organizations it serves, becoming a living record of change that invites participation. And we promised a closer look at implementing these concepts in real time with real-world constraints and participants following completion of a project on the boards.
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That project came to life at the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) national conference this summer. After SHRM accepted our presentation proposal, Sculpting Stories: Creating community through the convergence of personal stories, art, and workplace culture, we decided to do more than deliver an informative talk.
We presented a physical demonstration as part of the session, allowing participants to experience firsthand what it means to build community through collaborative art, storytelling, and creativity. This presentation became Embodied, an interactive artwork developed in real time that welcomed HR leaders, practitioners, and curious attendees to shape something meaningful together.
Background
The post-pandemic workplace is defined by transformation and tension. Employees and leaders alike seek connection. Many find themselves navigating environments where isolation is common, with digital engagement replacing face-to-face interaction. Even the best-designed amenities and programming can fall short of creating a space that feels genuinely meaningful.
By inviting people to step away from passive observation and into the role of co-creator, participatory art can help alleviate isolation through engagement and interaction. Participants shape more than the appearance of an artwork—they move beyond themselves through collaboration and experience a real and lasting sense of belonging.
FYOOG understands the efficacy of this approach as a direct response to a reality common to many organizations: leaders and employees want engagement but are not certain how to achieve it. We offered Embodied as a way to address this challenge and demonstrate the mechanics behind an ongoing, flexible work of art intended to build culture, storytelling, and connection across time.
Designing for Presence, Not Perfection
Our challenge at SHRM was anything but simple. We set out to design an installation that was:
What seemed daunting at first quickly became a creative catalyst. Leaning into principles of modularity, efficiency, and adaptability, we drew inspiration from the simplicity of systems like Lincoln Logs and the universal approachability of IKEA instructions—clear, modular, and accessible. We designed every joint and element to be visible and direct.
These choices made the process transparent and approachable. The act of building became part of the art itself. Our sequential assembly method allowed anyone to participate, regardless of background or skill set. Every contribution had value, and mistakes could be part of the dynamic artwork.
Participation in Action
On the conference floor, some of our team promoted the session, handing out brochures and inviting people to join us. This outreach generated steady interest and brought together a diverse mix of people curious about participatory art in a workplace setting.
As attendees arrived, each selected a paper figure and took a seat. At session start:
Participants personalized their figures with a short message, thought, or meaningful detail. We then collected these figures and added them to the sculptural structure. Attendees could see their contribution become part of the evolving artwork—a visual metaphor for collaboration and belonging.
At session end, the atmosphere shifted from participation to exploration. Attendees searched for their contributions, read messages shared by others, and began conversations—with us and with one another. The installation inspired connection, reflection, and curiosity, with engagement continuing even after the program concluded.
Insights for the Future
This experience provided multiple insights, some expected, others surprising—all relevant for organizations seeking genuine engagement:
What Comes Next
Looking ahead, participatory art should remain human-centered and evidence-based. While many are intuitively drawn to it, leaders need data, frameworks, and language to champion these projects.
Embodied is a prototype for a larger idea: participatory art as an adaptable, renewable tool for building connection across time. The real test is not just day one, but whether the momentum, memory, and sense of ownership continue to grow. Beyond a wow moment, the goal is to build systems that invite ongoing engagement, spark curiosity, and give people a reason to return.
Conclusion: Building Legacy Together
The future of art in shared spaces lies in collaboration, iteration, and openness to change. Art has the power to hold memory, reflect identity, and connect people.
Communal art at its best is an evolving system shaped by everyone who interacts with it. When people are invited to build something together, an experience of belonging develops.
That is the fundamental lesson of Embodied: art that grows through participation is art that remembers and creates lasting connections. The legacy we create together is the legacy that endures.
