THESIS 20-21 SS C1

“Я зашивал разбитое стекло, готовясь к зиме."

Brian Shen’s thesis project is a research study of how to measure distance. 2020 felt like a crazy dream for Brian. The pandemic, the bushfires, and losing someone to suicide led him to abandon his motherland to become a US citizen. Everything happened while he was trying to avoid getting overwhelmed by the responsibility of growing up. Brian tried to document some of his feelings and thoughts with this thesis project in a more objective way, hoping other people might be able to see parts of themselves in this collection and know that they are not alone.

The distance between the past and tomorrow became hazy and memory was the only way to measure how far is home. In order to calm his “super fragile” soul, Brian wanted to make something that would last forever. He experimented with objects like metal, glass, plaster, and human hair that physically last for a really long time, as well as objects that spiritually last forever, like film leaders, polaroids, and souvenirs.

Additionally, growing up, Brian has always been a huge movie nerd. The fact that there is a pre-designed ending comforts him. His collection is broken up into four chapters - each representing a stage of grief. From shock and anger to searching. Yearning to disorganization and despair. And maybe recovery at the end.

Brian started this collection at a really dark place in his life, but one year later, and ten pounds heavier, he feels ok, and he is happier. This project helped Brian a lot along the way. And he hopes other people who experienced similar trauma may find a little comfort in his collection knowing that it will get better.