Empathy is defined as the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person. Making art is a radical act of sharing, and as such it can be a powerful driver of social awareness and empathic connection. Art can function as an invitation for both the artist and the viewer to go beyond their individual experiences and engage in the imaginative act of projecting themselves into a collective experience. In this way, art fosters a deeper understanding of the nature and range of shared human existence and all that it entails: joy, pain, love, grief, loss, wonder, longing, and so much more. This panel discussion brings together a cognitive expert and artists working in the public realm to explore the ways in which artistic practice can bring people closer together.

Programming descriptions are generated by participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of SXSW.