I AM/WERE HERE/THERE (2019)

I AM/WERE HERE/THERE (IAWHT) is a series of virtual reality artworks that delve into the intricate relationship between memory, place, and collective experience. Exploring the concept of virtual sympathy, the series reconstructs iconic commercial locations in Hong Kong—sites deeply embedded in the collective memory of its people. These spaces, rich with cultural and emotional significance, are reimagined as digital environments that provoke introspection on the fluidity of memory and identity.

Harnessing the immersive nature of VR technology, IAWHT invites audiences to traverse these recreated locations through a first-person perspective, accompanied by ambient audio recordings from the real-world sites. This sensory journey allows participants from diverse contexts to share a unified experience. By doing so, the work fosters a sense of virtual togetherness, blurring the lines between individual and collective memory.

IAWHT challenges the objectivity of memories by presenting perceptually accurate, yet inherently subjective, depictions of reality. The controlled and prescriptive nature of the journey reflects on the ways memory is shaped and mediated, raising questions about authenticity, perception, and the role of technology in reconstructing the past.