Surface Memory
In the project Surface Memory, I had the opportunity to delve into the intricacies of memory and its elusive nature through my role as a performer and memory narrator. Directed by Xi Li, the project explores the act of recalling and reconstructing the past, capturing the nuanced states of uncertainty and affirmation that accompany our memories. As the artist puts it, "This video includes a group of people individually sitting in front of the camera, recalling a past of their family and themselves. They are the authors of their own memories, and also the recipients."
In this context, I confronted and articulated my own memories, notably a poignant recollection of my mother's passion for collecting family photographs. My contribution involved narrating the emotional resonance of a room filled with cherished memories, underscoring the essence of my familial ties and heritage.
I scripted and narrated my personal memory, focusing on the emotional space where I first understood my mother's archival impulse. In doing so, I endeavored to bridge the gap between private memory and public expression. Through the camera's lens, my personal narrative was not only preserved but also transformed, mirroring the project's interrogation of memory's reliability and its transformation through visual media. Participating in "Surface Memory" became an engagement with the fluidity of memory and the potent ability of visual media to interrogate and reshape our perceptions of the past.
August 3 - August 27, 2023
Blueprint, group show organized by Antwaun Sargent, AMANITA in New York City
