The Science of Touching and Feeling | David Linden | TEDxUNC

This past one year in Savannah  has been a trans-formative journey with its highs and lows. My outlook has broadened and I have matured reasonably. One of the things that still concerns me is the social politics that surrounds me in my day to day life. I grew up in a simple and close knit family. One with laughter and joy and several upsets. As an albino kid I stood out from all the other kids but, eventually by high school, I managed to pull my self together and got a great group of friends. My passion for arts grew and I learnt that if I do what I love then it wont feel like work. I was fortunate that my parents never pressured me to pursue a career which I did not enjoy and I was loved for who I was. The only thing I did not learn is to be street smart. To distance and tackle people who are demeaning more tactfully. I had some unfortunate experiences too, where I faced narcissistic individuals who I had no escape from, for a while. As much as it was tormenting I realized how important it was to be empathetic and humble. I am grateful for this day and time where Iam being appreciated for my efforts. I wonder how we are in an age where it is so hard to find solace in each other. Why are we not empathetic and why is being polite and affectionate considered a sign of weakness? Why is it so hard to form bonds? Why do we fear showing affection and sharing compassion? In a way I am happy to be out of the street smart lot as it is a competitive world out there. Keeping up with the politics and plotting is hard. But what am I missing? I just wish to share the love and compassion I have, the question is does anyone care for it? Is it such a sad world that I must only reserve my emotions for my beloved and family? Isn't it unfortunate that we have to curb what comes naturally to us? 

I recently participated in the American Crafts Council Retail Show through SCAD Fibers in Baltimore. I showcased my sculpted scarves , elevating the sense of touch as a way of experiencing objects. This experience brought to life a thought that I have been carrying for over a year. The idea that we are always complaining about what we don't have. The fast paced life that we live in dominated by imagery of the fetishistic ideal life that everyone portrays on social media, takes our personality and reality and bring out a disappointment and craving for something that does not even exist. My scarves were received very well and people bought my story. I have also transformed into a maker and a craftsman in this process. Going through a major change of feelings and emotions. There is so much I can do with my vision, my imperfection is my strength and this realization came through a humble, simple and high spirited artist Judith Scott. She was a fiber artist who worked obsessively on her wrapped and twined fiber sculptures. Her sculptures are exhibited in all major museums of the world today and even though she is no more, she touched my heart through her art. She transformed me and now I am carrying her message along with her own soft sculptures that tell her untold story. Her sculptures exemplify the power in optimism and the potential of the human body and mind. She was born with down syndrome and was deaf and mute and was institutionalized for 35 years. Her twin sister entwined to her soul enrolled her in Creative Growth art center at age 43. She accidentally started producing her sculptures after viewing a fiber artist's workshop and found her true calling, her medium and passion. I too aim to emphasize the use of our body's senses not just sight, but smell, taste, sound and touch. I find that there is so much in my body that I am gifted with, yet to be explored.