dear x; lessons in modern attachment
Exhibition Design, 2024
Fashion Institute of Technology M.A.
Designed for the Rubin Museum of Art, Dear X: Lessons in Modern Attachment explores the complex emotions tied to the people who have shaped our lives but are no longer present. We are haunted by the ghosts of our past—memories that evoke joy, hurt, sadness, and anger, all of which contribute to who we are today. By learning to recognize and release these burdensome emotions, visitors are invited to free themselves in the present, creating space to nurture and forge new relationships.
“[Moving from Attachment to Discernment] is the difference between being caught in a turbulent river versus being on the bank and watching its beauty.”
-Dr. Richard J. Davidson, from The Wellbeing Project -Mandala Lab Series
The exhibition aligns Buddhist principles of attachment with contemporary experiences, offering a thoughtful exploration of how attachment influences interpersonal relationships. In Buddhist teachings, attachment refers to feelings of greed, possessiveness, and obsession over people, circumstances, and objects. Attachment itself is neither inherently good nor bad, but it can unknowingly tether us to people and situations that no longer serve our well-being. Buddhism encourages freeing oneself from these attachments, especially when they become sources of suffering. While attachment fosters connection and love, over-attachment can distort relationships into possessiveness and obsession, limiting empathy and wisdom.
Visitors embark on a fictive journey with a self-defined personal “ghost,” a person from their past who continues to leave a profound impact, despite their absence. The exhibit expands the concept of ghosts beyond those who have passed away, framing them metaphorically as memories and manifestations of people who shaped our lives but are no longer present. These ghosts represent pivotal moments of emotional significance that have shaped visitors’ identities.
Upon entering, visitors are first oriented to the traditional Buddhist understanding of attachment. They then receive an RFID token representing their chosen “ghost,” which personalizes and curates their journey through the exhibition. This token unlocks narratives and object stories that resonate with the visitor’s experience, allowing them to engage as both passive listeners to others’ stories and active participants in recounting their own interpersonal histories.
The exhibition culminates in an invitation to write or observe farewell messages to their “ghost” companion, symbolically releasing past attachments and embracing joy in the present. This final engagement grounds visitors in the reality of the relationships around them and encourages living fully in the moment.
Designing for Empathy Student Awards
This project was selected as a Designing for Empathy Student Awards - 2024 winner from the One Empathy Network. This presentation was shown at the Designing for Empathy Summit & Workshops at the Glencairn Museum in Bryn Athyn, PA.
Dear X provides a contemplative space for inward reflection and emotional growth. By reflecting, reframing, and releasing past relationships, visitors are equipped with tools to grieve, heal, and ultimately put these attachments to rest. The exhibit encourages emotional and mental well-being by allowing visitors to explore at their own pace and discretion. In doing so, it fosters a “oneness” mindset—empowering visitors to approach those around them with increased compassion, empathy, and understanding in their daily lives.
