listening with headphones recommended 

The action of listening to sounds from the heart is known as 'auscultation'. Humans first achieved this by firmly pressing their heads against the chest of another person to study the rhythmic and sonic qualities of the heart. This is known as 'immediate auscultation'. More recently we use devices like stethoscopes and ultrasound machines to listen to the heart, we call this 'intermediate auscultation'.

Originally this practice was purely for medical and diagnostic purposes, but it is a uniquely present and personal experience. This project aims to share the sound of the human heart, and use it as an instrument that only functions with the presence of two beating human hearts.

Ideally experienced as a live performance "ausculte amore", or "listen with love" is unique to a present moment and never repeatable. A celebration and observance through deep listening, to the living persons who participate.

produced during an honors term at ArtCenter College of Design.