I’ve been working on an idea to create a connection between people surrounding the difficult topic of death. There is a desire of comfort or consolation in a time of distress or sadness, and it could be an opportunity to establish a connection between others. With the recent and ongoing devastation surrounding Covid-19, now more than ever are people aware of their mortality. From a state where our culture adhered to a sense of naivety to death, to now being surrounded by symbols of it. To quote Fredrich Nietzsche “How strange that this sole thing that is certain and common to all, exercises almost no influence on men, and that they are the furthest from regarding themselves as the brotherhood of death”.
The topic of memory and imprinting has been on my mind this semester, and I think memory plays a dramatic role within our lives regarding death. The event itself can be traumatic, the passing of those around us can leave memories that we either cherish or dread. To keep the memory of those who impacted us alive, we have to practice or engage in thoughtful remembrance. Many writers have described death as an absence of light. Phrases like “The light of my life has blown away” “The brightness once surrounding him has faded”, to be alive is to be full of energy, to be dead is to decay.
Project Narrative
Death has become part of the zeitgeist in our culture over the past year, mostly due to wide-spreading Coronavirus threat. For a culture that so willingly pushes away any reminder of our finite commonality, we are now inundated with reminders of it. As a community and a culture, we need to not fear but embrace this aspect of our lives, and find solace through connection with each other. We don’t get through life alone, we need the connection of others for comfort and strength. Solace together is an interactive architectural display that reminds us to engage with keeping the memory of those who have passed alive.
Who is the targeted audience/participants? Anyone, the project is simplified enough that the concept aforementioned may even be lost to one who doesn’t take careful consideration of the visuals. Specifically, I think it should be presented in places where remembrance are valued
What type of connection is manifested? This has been the most difficult question to answer. The end goal should be some form of solace, solace formed by the connection of people who have come together in remembrance of those who have fallen. At the minimum, it’s an engaging interaction with a goal to make the light as bright as possible.
What technology or interactive method best fits the narrative? Engaging presence. The idea that people are coming together doesn't mean that they need to be pressing buttons or using their hands, it’s simply their thoughtful presence that engages with the interactive display.
