Can Touch Be Computable?

David Parisi’s exploration of haptic technologies highlights the complexities of translating touch into computational terms. While these technologies offer new ways of engaging with the digital, they also raise questions about what is lost in the process. Can the richness of tactile experience ever be fully captured by computation?

Touch, as Parisi argues, is not just a physical sensation but a deeply relational act that carries emotional, cultural, and political significance. Introducing the notion of “care” into this dialogue reframes touch as a reciprocal interaction, challenging the commodification of sensory experiences. How can artists use haptic technologies not just as tools but as mediums for fostering empathy, care, and connection? How do we balance the possibilities of computation with the unquantifiable richness of human experience?

Projects like Within Touching Distance demonstrate the potential for haptic technologies to bridge the gap between digital and tactile worlds, creating spaces for reflection and connection. As artists, our challenge is to push these boundaries further, exploring how touch can become a site for critical and creative engagement.