ARCS4107 Studio 7 – Diasporic Dreamland: A Memory Box (2021)

Project title

Diasporic Dreamland: A Memory Box

Author

Enid Huang

Instructor

Johan Voordouw

Course

ARCS 4107 – Studio 7

Academic term

Winter 2021

Project Description

Diasporic Dreamland: A Memory Box focuses on reflecting back on to one’s heritage and childhood memories. This project is influenced by my own Chinese heritage and the loss of culture that is experienced as a second-generation Canadian (diaspora). Diasporic Dreamland is developed through the foundation of siheyuan (traditional Chinese courtyards) that correlates with four traditional Chinese tales and the four long-term memory types that influenced my personal childhood upbringing. The project brings an experience that allows myself to dive deeper in my heritage while producing utopian visuals that connect the past and intangible with the present. Through various medias and layers of process, four drawings are created through screen printing (an art form originated in China) and digital media. In the end, the project acts as a reflection to blends both my Chinese cultural elements and childhood memories, hoping to create a utopian world that could connect myself closer to her heritage. The Memory Box is produced to hopefully also encourage others to reflect and examine their own culture and upbringing. Perhaps, creating their own personal Diasporic Dreamland.