How Do We Get to Know Each Other?

We believe that connection is more than just shared words—it’s about shared experiences, emotions, and the subtle moments that make us human. While our lives may seem vastly different, we all navigate through a similar spectrum of emotions, like the sharp jolt of pain when you hit your elbow, the uncertainty of what the end of the world might look like, the mixed thrill and discomfort of breaking in a new pair of shoes, or the universal dread of an iPhone alarm ringing too early in the morning.

These seemingly small, everyday experiences make up an emotional language we can all understand, even if we’ve never spoken to each other before. Each person’s life has a unique story to tell, but they are all based on the same emotions, just expressed in different ways. We thought that translating these emotions into visual form in the form of paintings might make it possible to build a speechless bridge between two strangers.

Instructions

1. Before and During the Game:
   • Each participant receives a sheet of paper with a blank character outline—this blank figure represents a universal person, untouched by individual experiences.
   • Throughout the day (or within a few minutes in a classroom setting), participants fill in their character with small moments that stood out to them—objects, colors, accessories, clothing details, facial expressions, or abstract symbols representing emotions. As more details are added, the once-generic figure gradually becomes personal, adorned with fragments of experiences that only the creator fully understands.
2. At the End of the Game:
   • Each participant exchanges their completed character with their partner.
   • They take a moment to interpret the other person’s illustration, piecing together glimpses of their day, thoughts, and emotions—trying to understand how the other person experienced the world.
   • A brief discussion follows: Did they recognize shared experiences? Did they come across something unexpected?