Jacquelyn Ford Morie: Memories of the Memory Stairs

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Artist(s):


Title:


    Memories of the Memory Stairs

Exhibition:


Creation Year:


    2011

Category:


Artist Statement:


    Memories of the Memory Stairs: the artworks depicted in these images and videos were originally part of a fully immersive digital “virtual reality” experience called The Memory Stairs. The idea of The Memory Stairs was to have a participant, via a head mounted display, immersive 3D sound, and scents released into the space, visit a number of chronologically ordered life memories, from before birth to near death that I designed. As a virtual environment experience it was somewhat successful, but very painstaking to do, and not many people were able to experience it because of the complexities of setting up the full system. In looking for a better way to share the essence of The Memory Stairs with more people, I came up with the concept of incorporating videos taken of the original memories and rear projecting them onto a screen. However, I still wanted the immersive, embracing effect of the virtual reality version, so I made a rig to hold three 5 x 10 foot silk panels which were folded in slightly so that the visitor could feel they were encompassed in a very unique and ethereal space. With the sound played, and wind from a fan used to gently blow the silk panels, a subtle liveliness was brought to the images. Many participants found the analogue nature of this experience to be more evocative than the fully digital version.