The Halsey Institute is hosting a performance/interactive happening with Florida State University Professor of Art Holly Hanessian. Holly’s Touch in Real Time will be taking place in the Hill Gallery at the same time as the Young Contemporaries opening reception and awards ceremony on Friday April 5, 5-7pm.

Touch in Real Time is a project that explores the power of touch through the act of shaking hands at the intersection of art and neuroscience. Participants will shake Holly’s hand after a wet piece of clay has been placed between the participant’s hand and hers. Holly will hold onto their hand and wait 10-15 seconds for the bonding hormone, oxytocin, to be released into their bodies. The clay will have an imprint of each hand, which will become part of an installation exhibited in the fall of 2013 at the Society for Contemporary Craft downtown One Mellon Gallery space in Pittsburgh, PA.

Holly Hanessian grew up in the 1970’s in the lush suburbs in South Florida. A child of two Armenian parents (who were fourth cousins), she has created work that explores the crossroads of our DNA and the environment influencing our daily experience. Her artwork is a hybrid of design, craft and contemporary art, in various media including installations and artist’s books, both of which use text along with other narrative ideas.