Vague Memories
Project Synopsis
Using LiDAR* technology traditionally used by architects to measure three dimensional distances within buildings I attempt to explore and create my memories both old and new. Within this series of work, I have revisited places with deep personal significance from my childhood through the creation of 3D environments I am able to explore within virtual and augmented reality. I invite you to join me on a trip through my childhood memories through my own eyes and personal experiences that have led me to where I am now. During this project I wanted to be able to connect with places again, during my experiences of watching videos recorded by family when I was younger, I have always struggled with the recollection of important memories from my childhood whether it be family photos or videos. I never really felt like I was able to recollect the memory space and environment clearly, however as technology has become more powerful and accessible, I’m able to experiment with recreating places within a 3D world. Using technology in my work allows me to connect with my past in a much more immersive and personal way.
* a method for determining ranges (variable distance) by targeting an object or a surface with a laser and measuring the time for the reflected light to return to the receiver. It can also be used to make digital 3-D representations of areas
Title: My Roots
Caption:
The memories of joy, sadness and being terrified all stem and can be attributed to one location that has been a fundamental part of my growing up. Even as an adult now some of these feelings stay and some have evolved into pride, a sense of achievement and accomplishment, pride and gratefulness.
Title: Long Drive Home
Caption:
After being picked up by my grandfather I remember a long driveway and peering out of the car window trying to be careful not to get my trainers on the seats in the fear of being caught and told off. The vibrant yellow daffodils would show me that we are close to the house giving me a chance to catch a glimpse of the building before we arrive.
Title: Welcome
Caption:
After not seeing my grandfather for two years due to covid I felt uneasy going to the house, nervous almost, but after ringing the bell I was welcomed by my grandfather and given a big hug, this relieved the worries I previously had.
Title: The Office
Caption:
As a child of ten years old I remember coming to this building, my uncle’s office. Along with my cousins, we would play hide and seek around the hedgerow that is located to the right of the image. I remember everything being tall and overwhelming at that age.
Title: No Running
Caption:
This is a phrase I would often hear in the summer, running from room to room and through the forbidden room to go to the pool, the feeling of excitement to go swimming making me a little hyper before the sudden realisation that the pool is not heated, dipping my toes into the water I would have to build up the courage before taking the plunge into the chilled water.
Title: The Forbidden Room
Caption:
As an adult we are allowed to use this room now, trying to understand why as children we were not allowed to run around inside this room or sit on the furniture, I have spent many hours inside it, with the large windows covering two sides of the room there is a sensation of feeling grand inside this room, the feeling of accomplishment flows around the room like hidden energy that surrounds you. All the furniture had been custom-made for this room to create this energy.
Title: Ascendancy
Caption:
Trying to slide down the banister always proved a challenge that I wanted to beat, it would require finesse and balance to slide down as you were not able to have one left over the side, you would have to have both legs towards the stairs. I knew that if I was caught I would have been told off, so I would have to be ready to abandon the attempt if I saw anyone.
Title: Hallway
Caption:
At the end of the long narrow hallway, I would hear music, the loud thumping of the bass, this is how I knew my uncle was inside his room, I was now at the age of around sixteen, I was a shy teenager even with family, I remember my uncle getting music ready for a gig he was going to be playing as he was a DJ, he would show me all of the equipment but I was too afraid to touch anything.
Title: Kitchen
Caption:
The sweet aroma of the smell of vanilla lingers in the air, this is how I can tell what my grandma is baking as I enter, the best part was yet to come, licking the spoon clean! I was always too impatient to wait for the cake to bake, there is nothing better than eating the cake mix before the cake is ready.
Title: Living Room
Caption:
Over the past 20 years, this room has seen the most change, at the age of twelve I remember there being a full-size snooker table, one Christmas I was playing against my cousin, we would run around the table trying to play fast, we would hit the ball strong, the satisfying sound when the ball would go into the pocket would keep us going. Then the sudden sound of footsteps on the wooden floor as they approach the table, it was my great grandfather telling us to stop hitting the ball so hard because it would fly off the table and break a window, this is one of my only memories of my great grandfather.
Title: Deep In Thought
Caption:
Grandma and I will often sit at the table and recall memories that we remember, either from my childhood or hers, one that we spoke about recently was when my cousin and I came over for the night, before we went to bed we had a play fight, I remember my grandma having a changing screen and being thrown into it from the bed, a short moment later I heard a thud as my cousin crashed on top of me after being thrown in the same place.
Title: Orangery
Caption:
As the house creaks in the wind at night I find myself investigating, trying to find out where the noise is coming from, being worried about what it could be but also feeling safe with the dogs beside me, the Irish wolfhounds were as tall as I, wandering into the orangery with only the moonlight illuminating the room and surrounds I was always afraid of seeing someone the other side of the glass windows.
Title: The Overseer
Caption:
Watching over the family like an overseer my grandma has always been a strong person in character, she will do anything to protect her family, however, once her back is turned for a second we all get up to mischief, at the age of around 8 years old I saw some people playing football in the field, they were kicking the ball to each other and hitting it on their heads too, it looked like they were having a lot of fun and I wanted to be part of the activity, so I found the closest rock and threw it in the air cracking my head open. After the event grandma would be rushing around trying to find the closest store to buy me sweets and find a doctor as she was worried. But at the time all I could understand is the sweets tasted good!
Title: Halloween
Caption:
I remember camping one Halloween where my uncle told us ghost stories around our campfire my cousins and I were huddled together terrified of the graveyard which was just down the path. To add to the atmosphere and feed our fearful minds he would add fake blood to the grass and trees.
Title: Connections To Nature
Caption:
Grandma has always taught me about the connection between nature, life and death, we are only here for a short time compared to other things like the mighty oak tree, my love for walking and hiking has all come from her, and my sense of adventure and courage to try new things have all come from these moments.
Title: The Explorer
Caption:
I would always come back with scratches and marks on me, the sense of freedom once near the top of some of the trees is exhilarating, going up would be the easy part, but getting down is the bigger challenge, a few times some of the drops were bigger than I calculated leading to some scary moments.
