Happy City Projects: Emotional Baggage Drop

Background

Cities influence our emotional states – too often in a negative manner
People who have trusting/meaningful encounters with strangers experience a boost in their sense of wellbeing and happiness
Empathic encounters with strangers can change peoples feelings toward society

6-week art intervention – “Happy City Denver: Art for the People” – asking the question: Can a city be happy?
Explored ways that “public participatory art can bring people together to foster a sense of connection, reduce fear and nurture a sense of lasting happiness” – Stuart Semple (Artist)
Art installation, designed like a baggage carousel, where strangers could anonymously “unload” their worries (their “emotional baggage”)
Participants filled out a survey afterwards
Design question: How would this influence peoples perceptions of emotional support, social connection and subjective wellbeing in that moment?

Participants were less likely to report feeling that they had a good support network (friends/family to rely on emotionally) – i.e. they were more open about this (particularly males)
Participants were more optimistic about the future than non-participants
Non-participants were found to be more trusting in other Denver residents than participants

Emotional Baggage Drop installation fulfils a public need and has several positive wellbeing outcomes
Serves as a space for sharing emotions and personal difficulties – for people who do not feel they have enough access to emotional support, as well as those who do
Trust-building encounter that increases optimism in the community
Inspirational for those seeking to strengthen social trust and wellbeing in urban settings

Encouraging social exchange promotes feelings of connectedness and trust within a community.