I’ve Gut Something to Tell You: A Speculative Biofeedback Wearable Art Installation on the Gut-Brain Connection

The gut-brain connection is an increasing area of focus in many research domains. In the field of human-computer interaction (HCI), numerous biofeedback technologies provide detailed information on various bodily functions, however, those designed for the bowels are limited. Additionally, arts-based research methods are increasingly being utilized in HCI for investigating lived experiences with technology. In this paper, we present an interactive art installation and wearable artifact calledI’ve Gut Something to Tell You, which provides a speculative way of somatically connecting with one’s bowels through technology, namely, through ‘translations’ of bowel sounds into written language derived from the researchers’ own investigations into experiences with their bowels. Participants’ experiences with the installation were evaluated through a thematic analysis of written narratives and interviews while poetic inquiry was used to communicate the prominent themes that emerged. Our findings highlight a recognition of the importance of the gut-brain connection but suggest further that one’s subjective experience of this connection remains complicated due to societal taboos surrounding the topic. More broadly, our work challenges the notion of what constitutes biofeedback and our findings provide interesting reflections from the perspective of soma design regarding how we view our bowels as a separate but vocal entity which cannot be controlled in contrast to some other organs.