Stacking Stories 

Objects of displacement

Concept:  Inspired by the plight of the people from our respective nations, Afghanistan and Russia, myself and my partner Yuliya posed the question - if you had to flee your country and could only take one possession, what would you take with you? We asked people who had fled war or persecution to choose an object they considered most precious, and reveal the story behind it. The result was a rich, powerful narrative that connected audiences to the complicated, often harrowing journey and deeply personal experiences of people in such circumstances. "Stacking Stories" was featured at the 2013 ITP Spring Show.  Yuliya worked on the programming while I collected and wrote the stories. We both developed the concept, which combined organic material (sand and stone) with technology, and the precarious act of stacking stones, like the journey itself - to reveal layers of the story and the resulting object.  

Created with: TUIO (QR) and reacTIVision, Processing, Laser Cutter.

Skills: Creative Ideation, Project Management, Copywriting, Research, Fabrication.