Embodied at SHRM:
Building Legacy and Belonging
By Britni Harvison
Creative Director, FYOOG, an IA Company
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.
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 would present 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, digital engagement replacing face-to-face interaction. Furthermore, sometimes even the best-designed amenities and programming 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. Shaping more than the appearance of an artwork, participants create something with others and move beyond themselves through interaction to 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 lightweight, easy to move, and sturdy. It had to be transported via ground freight, assembled in less than an hour, and built entirely without tools or hardware. These limitations were very real. What seemed daunting at first quickly became a creative catalyst for our team.
Leaning into the principles of modularity, efficiency, and adaptability for the construction logic, we drew inspiration from the simplicity of systems like Lincoln Logs and the universal approachability of IKEA instructions: clear, modular, and accessible for everyone. We designed every joint and element to be visible and direct. These choices made the process transparent and approachable for all participants. The act of building became part of the art itself.
Our sequential assembly method allowed anyone to participate, regardless of background or skill set; the process reflected the collaborative spirit we wanted to encourage. 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 who were curious about participatory art in a workplace setting.
As attendees arrived, each selected a paper figure and took a seat. At session start, while some of our team assembled a sculptural structure to the side of the stage, others at the front of the stage introduced the session, welcomed everyone, provided context, and explained what participants could expect during their experience.
Our presenters guided participants through the process of personalizing their figures by writing a short message, thought, or something personal and meaningful to share. Then we collected the completed paper figures and added them to the sculptural structure. Participants could see their contribution become part of the evolving artwork. This project showed how individual stories can come together as a collective whole, collaboration adding an almost tangible energy to the environment and meaning to the experience.
At session end, the atmosphere shifted from participation to exploration. Attendees perused the sculpture, searched for their personal contribution, read the messages shared by others, and started conversations with us and with fellow participants. 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 interested in fostering genuine engagement.
Preparation matters.
Pre-event outreach and clear, inviting communication are essential for drawing people in. The best experiences begin long before the experience itself.
Constraints can be freeing.
Designing within limitations led our team to innovative ideas, resulting in an approachable, engaging experience for participants.
Facilitation shapes the outcome.
A curator or guide can help ensure all participants have an equal chance to be part of the experience.
Hands-on experience cultivates belonging.
Through opportunity and collaboration everyone contributes.
In an era defined by screens and automation, people respond to shared interaction.
Engaging emotional intelligence and face-to-face connection lowers barriers, making it easier to take first steps and interact.
Collaboration is rewarding.
Working together fosters camaraderie and shared accomplishment. Through teamwork all participants discover something new about art and one another.
What Comes Next
Looking ahead, participatory art should remain human-centered and evidence-based. Although many people are intuitively drawn to participatory art, leaders still need data, frameworks, and language to best champion these projects for their organizations.
A commitment to continuous evolution matters. Embodied is a prototype for a larger idea: participatory art as an adaptable, renewable tool for building connection across time wherever people will benefit. The real test is not just what happens on day one, but whether the momentum, memory, and sense of ownership continue to grow moving forward. Beyond a wow moment, the goal is to build systems that invite ongoing engagement, spark curiosity, and give people a reason to come back.
Conclusion: Building Legacy Together
The future of art in shared spaces lies in collaboration, iteration, and openness to change because 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.
