The virtual reality (VR) experience invites viewers to walk through a sparse mountainous terrain, collecting fragments along the way. Following instruction to “seek the edges,” they explore a centralized basin dotted with raw, clay-like replicas encased in a digital shell. At the outer ridge, monumental female figures emerge from the rocky perimeter. Once transported to a secret library, viewers see their collected artifacts appear as fully rendered physical replicas.
The experience is part of a larger interactive installation exploring how histories are carried and transformed over time. Upon entry, participants are prompted to write what from their family history is worth holding onto—or letting go. They wrap these reflections in clay, fabric, and string, placing them into a bag that accompanies them into the virtual space as a tangible reminder.
Beyond the installation, the socially engaged project extends into community workshops in library and educational spaces. Participants learn to create digital twins of their familial objects while reflecting on the values embedded in the digital form and what gets lost in translation.
