Artist Interview with Michal Zemel

The interactive digital game for children Feed My Emotions has been created by Ultravioletto and Michal Zemel for the Children’s Museum in Rome as part of the Liberty EU programme. Using cutting-edge technology, the game is designed to playfully help children recognise their emotions.

Artist Michal Zemel told us more about the project and her work:

Tell us about yourself, where do you come from and what do you like to do in your spare time?

I am Michal, a Multimedia Artist and a Media Designer. I was born in Tel Aviv, but moved to Italy when I was 20, and have been living here ever since. I am a nerd: I love playing board games with friends, listening to podcasts, and hanging outside when the weather is nice.

What was the biggest challenge when creating a game that can tour to different locations and countries?

I think my biggest challenge was figuring out how to translate emotions into visual elements – colour shapes and textures. I think each of us has his own perception of emotions that is very much influenced by their experiences and personality and the hard part was translating the core meaning of the emotion in a way that could be shared and understood amongst many people.

What do you feel is the most enjoyable thing about the game/software?

I think the best part about creating with software in a form of a game is that each person approaching the work has an individual experience. For a few moments, it is as if the work was made only for them, they are in the centre of it and no one else will have it in quite the same way. I like to think about it as being able to create something personalised for everyone.

Why do you feel that it is important for young artists to travel and work across Europe?

I think travelling is important to everyone and most certainly to young artists. Travelling allows you to shake your fixations and see the abundance of ideas out there. Ideas that can either move you further in developing them or push you to develop others. Travelling can also give you an opportunity to connect with other people who can really make a difference in your artistic path.

What do you feel are three key factors affecting young artists today?

I think that among the factors that move young artists today are technology, the politics and the social movements in the world, and the public mood and perception of art, because eventually if people don’t consume art and don’t look for it stops having its importance.

You can experience Feed My Emotions in Leicester as part of Journeys Festival International on 13 August to celebrate the Liberty EU finale season.