Empathy with the place: Understanding the concept and application of artistic research approach using AI-based tools
Abstract
Importance of empathy in design and other place-related practices is currently acknowledged by researchers and designers. This article involves theoretical analysis and artistic research using Artificial Intelligence (AI) based tools in order to define and explore the empathy with the place. The first section presents literature analysis and systematization evolving around place, empathy, and human-place relationships. Selected theoretical landscape models are analyzed in order to reveal the theoretical premises for human-place relationships involving empathy. The concepts of biophilia, topophilia, and genius loci are distinguished as ways to better explain and understand this phenomenon. The second section presents the artistic research approach towards empathy with the place using AI-based artistic tools. The second section includes the presentation of the methodology of artistic research developed in the course of this research, the application of the methodology in two historic recreational localities (Panemune and Kulautuva) situated in and around the city of Kaunas (Lithuania) and the assessment of application results from the points of view of biophilia, topophilia, genius loci and empathy with the place.
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