Ava I-Wen Huang

A mixed-media installation which reveals the stories behind an object, a balloon-wrapped smartphone. A project about my journey to reach and talk to refugees online.

Description

This project is a mixed-media installation with projection. It reveals the stories behind an object, a smartphone inside a balloon, which is the symbol for a refugee's smartphone. The installation includes video projection documenting my dialogue with the refugees I met online. This project is my journey to reach, talk to and understand life of the refugees. I created Hudea as a name for Syrian refugees. I chose to create a fictional name, because their real names, combined with other information, could risk revealing their real identities and cause trouble. I want to embody my conflict and emotion and make them tangible as a video sculpture.

I never meet the refugees in person, however my connection with them feels real. I want to make a life-like experience, through documentary approach. All the videos of my dialogue with refugees are true stories, I did screen recording every time I talked to them to keep record of it. My ultimate goal is to bring together the refugees and non-refugees, to help understand the refugees are just like everybody else.

Classes

Thesis