Metamorphosis
Capstone
Abstract: We commemorate and immortalize through reflection on memories and feelings of grief, in order to confront change. Grief is complex, emotional, and situational, but all of us need to engage with the reality of our loss to gain acceptance. The feelings of acceptance do not necessarily mean ‘moving on’, ‘letting go’, or ‘clinging on to’, but a feeling of embracing your new reality and being content with it.
Medium One: Taking Flight (Chandelier)
In this project, butterflies symbolize change, used as an outlet to reflect on past memories of your loss and to highlight renewal. You can’t be the same person you once were, because your loss is a part of you. Similar to how a caterpillar becomes a butterfly. You are completely changed, and nothing will reverse that process.
Medium Two: Mirrored Reflections (Poem Book + Poster)
Poem Mirrored Reflections is a collection of short responses and poems about grief and the memories we attach to our loss. Not constrained by death, but loss in any sense of the word.
Taking Flight
There are 4 different colors representing 4 different emotions related to grief: anger, sorrow, emptiness, and acceptance. Each butterfly was laser-cut and etched with words associated with the emotion. Since it is a reflection piece, the words are reflected on the other side of the wings.
Progression: Documentation of the participatory installation over a
two-week period. The butterfly chandelier is meant to prompt the audience to reflect on their memories of their loss and confront the emotions tied to it. Their participation is supposed to confront change in their life.
Mirrored Reflections
The responses came from individuals aged 21 to 29; each response to grief and reflection on memories is unique to that individual.
Epilogue (Death of the Butterflies): Unfortunately, during the deinstallation process, the butterflies were crushed under the ringlight, leaving only 3 survivors. Death is a part of metamorphosis; in a way, these emotions held on to each other until they couldn’t anymore. A sign of renewal or acceptance. Though it is possible for the butterflies to be glued back together, they won’t be the same. Scratches and dents from collapsing have already changed them.
