Supervisors: Prof. Theo Smeets, Typhaine Le Monnier M.F.A.
"This thesis investigates the biological, social, and cultural significance of touch in an era dominated by virtual interaction and digital dependency. Growing up inIreland’s vibrant and social culture, there is a rich communal intimacy in Irish "going out" culture and the Celtic Revival movement (a renewed celebration of national identity and community). Yet, alongside this togetherness, an opposing cultural narrative has emerged reflecting loneliness, disconnection, and an increasing yearning for closeness in digital spaces. Specifically the term "touch starvation," which describes the psychological distress caused by absence of physical contact, this becomes central to this research, as it raises the question: Do we need touch?
From this point, touch is proposed as both a biological necessity and a social construct. Drawing comparisons between the grooming rituals of primates and the complex social behaviours of humans. It considers whether physical contact serves merely as social maintenance or, rather, as an emotional necessity deeply rooted in human evolution. Through scientific research into early tactile experience, it also gives attention to the mother–child dynamic, studying attachment theory and of skin-to-skin contact, in order to explore how touch shapes our emotional and communicative development. Furthermore, the research poses touch as a bridge between tangibility, memory, and emotion, suggesting that objects act as communicative vessels carrying traces of nostalgia, intimacy, and identity which permeates the metaphysical.
The study ultimately reflects upon how digital technology continues to reshape intimacy and community. Smartphones and social media have fostered new forms of connection that are instantaneous, yet the convenience and accessibility cannot satisfy the innate human desire for tangibility and interpersonal relationships. Touch is a fundamental part of our biological and emotional fabrication that persists even amidst the growing allure of virtual connection. As we navigate the delicate balance between digital advancement and human instinct, there are signs of resistance through revival of communal gatherings and tactile professions that only amplify the importance of touch and physical togetherness. Although we stand conflicted by progress and longing, one truth remains constant, our need for touch is inextinguishable, deeply embedded in the human condition, and forever reasserting itself through new forms of connection."
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