Path of Your Reflection

The project delves into the concept of inner feeling. Often, spaces evoke emotions within us, prompting thought and sparking curiosity, joy, and even sadness. But what if space is absent? What if feeling originates from within ourselves, shaped by our state of mind? In this project, you first choose a path for your journey. As you walk, you might occasionally see others like you, wandering toward a shared destination. You traverse fields of wheat, which symbolize life. The tall stalks of wheat create a sense of seclusion for each path, while also concealing other routes, making your path feel singular. You remain unaware of where other paths lead, which routes other visitors take, and where these paths might converge. Each path taken guides visitors through landscapes that encourage reflection and introspection, allowing them to mentally prepare before reaching their journey's end. The path, and thus the journey, culminates at a vertical mirror. Visitors find their progress halted by the mirror, which reflects their own image. Each mirror is strategically placed to prevent visitors from seeing others on similar journeys, fostering a moment of intimacy and solitude. Upon closer approach, visitors observe their reflected faces undergoing a significant aging process. They gaze at their future selves, their older visages. This personal encounter ignites inner emotions. Initial reactions might include shock and surprise, which can then transition into feelings of sadness and anxiety, or even joy and laughter. These emotions can arise and overlap as the individual grapples with this new perception. Ultimately, the experience hinges on how the person interprets this reflection and their prevailing emotional state. For, in the end, emotions are generated within us through our perception of ourselves. The reflection of our older selves encourages contemplation and reflection on our lives: past mistakes, cherished memories, loved ones, and pivotal moments that have shaped who we are today. Thoughts of the past evoke emotions, as do anticipations of the future. It is a bittersweet moment, reflecting on the relentless passage of time, a reality we must accept. Yet, the reflection in the mirror also offers hope and optimism for the days ahead. Wheat embodies life, and the expansive wheat fields allow visitors to behold an endless horizon. Singular paths lead to mirrors, representing our destination where we can "meet" ourselves. The paths terminating at the mirrors symbolize reaching this destination. Diverging paths, like those in life, illustrate that regardless of the route taken, the ultimate destination remains the same. The mirrors are intentionally separate, each designed to provide an individual with an intimate experience of self-reflection, free from interruption. Furthermore, visitors cannot see others standing at their respective mirrors, reinforcing a sense of complete solitude. Thus, the physical path through the wheat fields becomes a metaphor for the path of your reflection, a journey not merely through space, but through the mirrored corridors of time and self-perception, revealing the ever-present dialogue between who we are and who we are becoming.

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Peg House

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Circle of Life