Emotional Mapping – Defining Centers of Safety is a public art project designed to promote reconnection through social and emotional learning. This initiative offers artists a platform for creative expression, inviting them to engage the public in discussions on community dynamics to explore themes of safety, consent, empathy, and collective responsibility. The project features performing artists who invite the audience to participate in their live performance through common games, such as "Red Light, Green Light" and "Simon Says," within an emotional map integrated into the floor of a round theatre setup.

The emotional map reflects cultural practices of community building, reminiscent of the dynamic interactions found within a gayelle, a traditional space for conflict resolution. This setup embodies the call-and-response tradition, encouraging audience participation through art and play as a means of building dialogue around safety and shared community values.

Performing artists guide the audience through a three-part demonstration on the map, using freeze/stop scenes to pause and invite audience members to engage in community-building activities. These activities encourage participants to symbolically "enter the ring" of the gayelle, exercising personal agency by practising responses to social situations that emphasise the values of shared space and community safety.

This approach fosters active dialogue and reflection on the role of personal power in creating safer communal environments. The goal is to redefine how we perceive and interact with each other in public spaces, cultivating environments of safety where creativity can flourish. The primary focus is to inspire collective action and thoughtful participation, where each individual’s choices contribute to advancing the group. These activities are designed to help participants navigate emotions, conflict resolution, and the dynamics of shared spaces.