Empathy is the capacity to put yourself in someone else’s shoes. It is an instinct or power that differentiates humans from robots and reptiles. Associated with our “mammalian brain” or limbic system, it enables the imaginative leap that binds us together and enables the formation of communities, societies and nations.

At a time of rising bigotry and egomania, “The Empathy Lab” explores others, not as subordinate subjects, but as imaginary friends, surrogate families and iconic ideals. The international artists in the show experiment with a broad spectrum of empathetic emotions (e.g. joy, sadness, fear, and liberation) through many artistic media.