Let’s Shake is a participatory art event encouraging people to extend a hand beyond their comfort zone and make a genuine connection with another person. The process involves casting the inside of a handshake while people communicate with each other. The resulting forms are intriguing shell-like objects imprinted with a record of each person’s palm and the memory of their encounter.

The project came about during the development of a permanent artwork promoting reconciliation, commissioned by the University of Adelaide in 2006. Inspired by the notion of the space contained within a handshake, the idea was conceived by Melbourne artist Karen Casey and developed in collaboration with public sculptor Darryl Cowie.

For the initial phase of the project the University decided to host an event with the artists, inviting  Indigenous and non-Indigenous representatives, staff and students to take part in a group processas part of Reconciliation Week. People sat opposite each other holding wet plaster between their hands and making conversation until it hardened. The cast handshake forms were then recorded and boxed to be used in the mould for the commissioned sculpture.

In light of the heartfelt responses and encouragement from people involved in the process it was decided to continue as Let’s Shake – an ongoing project promoting cultural connection and dialogue through public events and artworks. Each Let’s Shake event is documented and the castings are retained for future artworks – As permanent reminders of people’s experience and as a symbol of their commitment to reconciliation.