Grief is often a solitary journey, an internal attempt to make sense of loss. At times, it may feel like falling into a black void. But what happens when a hand reaches out? What can a gesture of companionship offer?
My Grief is a Shadow is a prototype of an interactive work that invites viewers to extend their hand and discover the answer for themselves. Built in Unity 3D game engine and using a Leap Motion infrared sensor, the piece responds to movement with subtle, symbolic shifts, exploring how solitude might be transformed by chance connection.
Through this simple interaction, the work evokes empathy for those in mourning and offers space for reflection on personal or collective grief. The hand in this piece is not literal, it stands for external emotions of care, compassion, solidarity. Emotions that may not erase grief, but can shift how we carry it.
This work was exhibited as part of the group exhibition “We Are All Affected” by Eleven Collective, as part of the Big Anxiety Festival, Sydney, 2017
Technical Specifications
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HD animation
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16:9 ratio
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Audio on loop
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Displayed on a 44-inch monitor
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Interactive via Leap Motion Controller (IR sensor)