TRIGGER POINT MOULDINGS are rounded fibrous plaster forms that can be integrated into a wall
surface.
As suggestive protrusions, the mouldings encourage heightened, physical interactions between bodies and architectural surfaces, and suggest that buildings can perform, or intimate towards the necessary work of massage therapists. Heating elements inserted into the backs of the plaster protrusions warm the forms to body temperature and assist in muscle tension relief. As warmed wall areas, the protrusions create a gentle threshold between body and building.
Massage therapists commonly work to access and manipulate multiple trigger points in the body
found in the shoulders, neck, knees, etc as a means of aiding such diverse ailments as nausea,
quitting smoking, colds, fatigue, sexual problems, etc. TOUCHY-FEELY worked in consultation with massage therapists to develop forms of an appropriate depth and shape to facilitate self-trigger point massage. The seemingly-sculpted forms of the TRIGGER POINT MOULDINGS were derived from a process of casting plaster using fabric formwork. The bulges are not “designed,” but rather, capture directly the material behaviour of the plaster poured into sewn, fabric forms.
The mouldings can be installed easily into any new or existing drywall or plastered wall surface at any desired height or in any density/pattern.
Research and prototypes for TRIGGER POINT MOULDINGS were made during a residency for Art, Science & Economy (Kunst Wissenschaft Wirtschaft) at Kuenstlerdorf Schoeppingen in Germany, October 2008 - May 2009.
Trigger Points are produced by Stucknagel, Germany - www.stucknagel.de

Stephanie Davidson and Georg Rafailidis