Lane25

Lane25 is based on a real location in the Fiji Islands, centred around my family history and heritage. As a descendant of indentured labourers who arrived on the islands more than a century ago, there is a wealth of untold stories waiting to be shared. Virtual Reality provided me with an unparalleled artistic medium to re-imagine Lane25 and share some of the stories that continue to linger in my subconscious. The building depicted in Lane25 is accurately represented in scale, and the sounds heard were recorded on location. However, the objects within the building are a blend of fact and folklore, creating a realm of paradoxes that reflect my personal and emotional connection to the location. Standing in front of the house on Lane25, a recording of my late cousin’s voice echoes the reminder of stories my grandmother used to tell. My grandfather's influence is heard with my performance of ancient drum rhythms.

The purpose of this work is to provide the audience with a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in my perspective and engage with storytelling in Virtual Reality (VR). Creating in VR was a very different process to what I was used to as a filmmaker. I was able to explore the role of the spectator in my work further. We usually just sit and watch a story on a screen in front of us, but what is it like to be in the story? Through this work, I want the spectator to question that too. How does VR affect the experience of the work? Does it give the work more meaning? How does it change the meaning? I hope this project will be the introduction to a different way of experiencing story and storytelling. In a wider context, I want Lane25 to be a part of diversifying perspectives.