This Must Be the Place (2023)

A large-scale audio/video installation, This Must Be the Place is a four-minute non-linear narrative inviting the viewer to find what ‘home’ means to them. Projected on nine fragmented fabrics throughout the space, each set of three fabrics is telling tale of a certain aspect of home; seeking, finding, losing, trying again. The experience concludes as the projection on the main bodies ends, drawing the attention of the viewer to the central column made of dark shimmery fabric in the center, where they read a poem being read simultaneously through spatial audio, leaving them with the sense of wonder of their definition of home and belonging. A full video of this installation is available here.

*This project was a group effort as a part of a class at ITP. My roles included concept development, creative direction, video concept, creation, and editing, spatial narrative, as well as physical installation. During installation, I was responsible for the on-boarding of the experience. We were invited to participate as the only audiovisual large-scale installation at the ITP Winter Show 2023.

Team: Elyana Javaheri, Mica Lages, Anna Nikaki, Orpheas Kofinakos, Vinita Gatne

Concept + Process

Our team was of a group of five, all of whom are immigrants from different parts of the world. ‘Home’ began being the center of our conversation; where it was, what it meant, and where it is now. Drawing from our similarities and differences, we became curious about creating an immersive experience surrounding the feeling of home, when home reshapes its meaning.

The narrative that centered this experience had a few distinct qualities from the beginning: non-linearity, fragmentation, and ephemera. We aimed for a spatial design that reflected similar qualities for the visitors, therefore enhancing the abstract narrative. To achieve these qualities, we decided to work with fragmentation of projected surfaces to encourage movement through space however pleased by our visitor. The intention, underlined by the visual production of the video, as well as simultaneous projection on all columnar fabrics, engaged individuals to constantly ‘seek’ what they thought they saw, pressing the feeling of home when one is an immigrant.