The Stories We Carry
About the Project
Crafted entirely from paper, The Stories We Carry takes the form of a large paper airplane piloted by a solitary shadow puppet figure. Its surface is layered with abstract and recognizable symbols drawn from the personal narrative of a single child participant. These symbols were created using an audio visualization process that translated the participant’s spoken story into graphic forms, resembling ink blots, trails, or calligraphic marks. Together, they form a visual asemic language that suggests meaning without relying on literal text.
Rooted in semiotics, the project examines how identity is shaped through culturally and historically specific signs. The paper airplane references the familiar act of folding and passing notes, an early form of storytelling and connection. Within the installation, it becomes a metaphor for how personal narratives are constructed, carried, and shared through symbolic expression and movement.
Artpiece dimensions: 2′ W x 3′ H
Artpiece price: $500
Behind the work
The project developed through a collaborative process that combined artistic interpretation with reflective inquiry into storytelling and meaning-making. Spoken narrative served as the foundation, with audio data translated into visual form through experimentation and iteration. The work balances structure and ambiguity, allowing personal experience to be recorded while remaining open to interpretation. Collaboration focused on honoring the participant’s story while exploring broader questions of how narratives take shape through symbols and shared forms.
