Welcome to the city of Emorium:
For my Sustained Investigation, I created the city of ‘Emorium’ or the city of memories in order to explore confusing or important memories of mine and help make sense of them. The portfolio follows a narrative from a first person perspective and places the viewer as a spectator to my memories. In my portfolio, I present conflicts such as boredom, distraction, and identity.
The piece “introduction: Emorium” sets the tone and introduces the city of Emorium, not only as a place, but also as a character within the narrative. The loud and neon colors reflect the exciting distractions the city has to offer, and my portrait reflects the confusing feelings the narrator deals with throughout the portfolio. The narrative begins with "Boredom", in which the narrator is indifferent towards life and looking for distractions. This is reflected by the lack of color, and the narrator laying in their unmade bed. As the evening progresses, the narrator begins to look for distractions and unhealthy outlets for the stressors in their life, as seen in "Lookin' For Affection".
After being seduced by what Emorium promises, the narrator sets out to find satisfaction and meaning in the city. "interlude: Glimmer" is the first piece in the narrative that is in color, as it serves as a transition between the boredom of everyday life and the excitement the city has to offer. It also represents the narrator's belief that they will find what they're looking for in Emorium. In "I'll Teach You Tricks That'll Blow Your Mind", the narrator meets a new character, AMOR, that the narrator thinks will fix their world. AMOR's carefree attitude appeals to the narrator and draws them into Emorium. "I Dream About Subway Rides" (not pictured in Sustained Investigation) depicts the obsession the narrator develops for AMOR and the unhealthy relationship the narrator has created. They sit apart from each other and the vibrant colors start to blend with the intense shadows of the subway tunnel.
The narrator finds their way to where they are staying the night, which is shown in the piece "In My Room". The windows are open, and the light from the city is streaming into the room, but without the company of their obsession, the colors begin to fade. In desperation, the narrator goes back out into the city to search for their obsession, finding AMOR in "OPEN". Despite the open sign, AMOR is reserved and doubting whether or not to let the narrator in. After reluctance, AMOR lets the narrator into the room. The narrator is confused as to where AMOR's carefree attitude went and questioning their relationship, as seen in "hey, you". The narrator is forced to see that AMOR is an obsession of theirs, but comes to the conclusion that they would rather have an unhealthy relationship than be alone. The last piece, "Goodnight." shows how this relationship doesn't satisfy the narrator's longing for affection and meaning. Both "hey, you" and "Goodnight." are in black and white which represents this realization and reflects the cyclical nature of boredom and obsession.
In response to my work from last year, I approached this portfolio with a greater emphasis on cohesion and narrative. I took inspiration from concept albums such as Pink Floyd's "The Wall" and Tyler, the Creator's "Flower Boy", which rely heavily on storytelling and structure. While creating the portfolio, I kept the structure of these albums in mind and created my own narrative. This portfolio works as a connection between art and music. Additionally, I created a playlist with songs that correspond to and inspired each piece. The playlist is meant to be listened to in the specified order and can be found here.
The piece “introduction: Emorium” sets the tone and introduces the city of Emorium, not only as a place, but also as a character within the narrative. The loud and neon colors reflect the exciting distractions the city has to offer, and my portrait reflects the confusing feelings the narrator deals with throughout the portfolio. The narrative begins with "Boredom", in which the narrator is indifferent towards life and looking for distractions. This is reflected by the lack of color, and the narrator laying in their unmade bed. As the evening progresses, the narrator begins to look for distractions and unhealthy outlets for the stressors in their life, as seen in "Lookin' For Affection".
After being seduced by what Emorium promises, the narrator sets out to find satisfaction and meaning in the city. "interlude: Glimmer" is the first piece in the narrative that is in color, as it serves as a transition between the boredom of everyday life and the excitement the city has to offer. It also represents the narrator's belief that they will find what they're looking for in Emorium. In "I'll Teach You Tricks That'll Blow Your Mind", the narrator meets a new character, AMOR, that the narrator thinks will fix their world. AMOR's carefree attitude appeals to the narrator and draws them into Emorium. "I Dream About Subway Rides" (not pictured in Sustained Investigation) depicts the obsession the narrator develops for AMOR and the unhealthy relationship the narrator has created. They sit apart from each other and the vibrant colors start to blend with the intense shadows of the subway tunnel.
The narrator finds their way to where they are staying the night, which is shown in the piece "In My Room". The windows are open, and the light from the city is streaming into the room, but without the company of their obsession, the colors begin to fade. In desperation, the narrator goes back out into the city to search for their obsession, finding AMOR in "OPEN". Despite the open sign, AMOR is reserved and doubting whether or not to let the narrator in. After reluctance, AMOR lets the narrator into the room. The narrator is confused as to where AMOR's carefree attitude went and questioning their relationship, as seen in "hey, you". The narrator is forced to see that AMOR is an obsession of theirs, but comes to the conclusion that they would rather have an unhealthy relationship than be alone. The last piece, "Goodnight." shows how this relationship doesn't satisfy the narrator's longing for affection and meaning. Both "hey, you" and "Goodnight." are in black and white which represents this realization and reflects the cyclical nature of boredom and obsession.
In response to my work from last year, I approached this portfolio with a greater emphasis on cohesion and narrative. I took inspiration from concept albums such as Pink Floyd's "The Wall" and Tyler, the Creator's "Flower Boy", which rely heavily on storytelling and structure. While creating the portfolio, I kept the structure of these albums in mind and created my own narrative. This portfolio works as a connection between art and music. Additionally, I created a playlist with songs that correspond to and inspired each piece. The playlist is meant to be listened to in the specified order and can be found here.
The Infinite City:
An essay on Emorium
The city of Emorium is a city of memories. Around each corner, in every building, under every tree, memories from your past, present, and future lives are waiting to be explored. Within each memory, there is another Emorium, with its own set of your memories. While exploring these memories, you can never differentiate between what you have already lived, what you are currently living, and what you will eventually live. The city is built on these memories. The never-ending blue skyscrapers, or the houses built on green and rolling hills, or whatever you may see during your stay, is meant to lure you in and keep you.
Every time you return, the city changes. Sometimes, a change may be as simple as a new flower blooming next to a bench in a park. That same flower offers pollen for bees to spread, enrichening the plant life, providing food for the rabbits and squirrels and deer to feed on, forming a new Emorium, which creates new memories for you to explore. Other times, the city may look unrecognizable. Emorium can turn from a city out at sea, floating where it can never be found, to a bustling and urgent city with flashing lights demanding your attention. Despite the changes, whether it be drastic or trivial, they are always necessary in order for you to experience the city of Emorium to the fullest extent.
Because of the interesting nature of Emorium, you are the sole person who can pass through. The roads, houses, and buildings are empty of people, but you are never alone. There is always an infinite number of visitors in Emorium at any moment, who walk the same spaces as you do, despite the distance or time in which you are separated. Although you may not see them, know that you walk amongst travelers from all paths of life. Occasionally, these same travelers may find themselves in your own memories, and you in theirs. Find comfort in this, for Emorium can be a cruel city.
Travelers, beware. Emorium can be difficult to find, but it is always harder to leave. With no sense of when and where and why you are, any traveler can find themselves stuck with lack of direction and will to continue their journey past Emorium. It is easy to get lost in these memories, reliving the feeling of falling in love, the time spent with those who left too soon, the moments that make Emorium the captivating city it is. These memories can consume those who are afraid. Afraid to forget, afraid to move on, afraid to live. You will only be left with wanting meaning, the only thing the city cannot provide.
If you find yourself lost, do not lose hope, for finding your way is simple. Only when your desire to live becomes greater than your desire to stay, can you leave the many Emoriums you have explored. But there is no point in fooling yourself, for Emorium knows when you have found peace and when it is time for you to leave. It may be simple, but it is never easy, for it is impossible to tell when you have arrived, but if you are lucky enough to leave, it will never be clearer that you are far, far away from where you have started.
Every time you return, the city changes. Sometimes, a change may be as simple as a new flower blooming next to a bench in a park. That same flower offers pollen for bees to spread, enrichening the plant life, providing food for the rabbits and squirrels and deer to feed on, forming a new Emorium, which creates new memories for you to explore. Other times, the city may look unrecognizable. Emorium can turn from a city out at sea, floating where it can never be found, to a bustling and urgent city with flashing lights demanding your attention. Despite the changes, whether it be drastic or trivial, they are always necessary in order for you to experience the city of Emorium to the fullest extent.
Because of the interesting nature of Emorium, you are the sole person who can pass through. The roads, houses, and buildings are empty of people, but you are never alone. There is always an infinite number of visitors in Emorium at any moment, who walk the same spaces as you do, despite the distance or time in which you are separated. Although you may not see them, know that you walk amongst travelers from all paths of life. Occasionally, these same travelers may find themselves in your own memories, and you in theirs. Find comfort in this, for Emorium can be a cruel city.
Travelers, beware. Emorium can be difficult to find, but it is always harder to leave. With no sense of when and where and why you are, any traveler can find themselves stuck with lack of direction and will to continue their journey past Emorium. It is easy to get lost in these memories, reliving the feeling of falling in love, the time spent with those who left too soon, the moments that make Emorium the captivating city it is. These memories can consume those who are afraid. Afraid to forget, afraid to move on, afraid to live. You will only be left with wanting meaning, the only thing the city cannot provide.
If you find yourself lost, do not lose hope, for finding your way is simple. Only when your desire to live becomes greater than your desire to stay, can you leave the many Emoriums you have explored. But there is no point in fooling yourself, for Emorium knows when you have found peace and when it is time for you to leave. It may be simple, but it is never easy, for it is impossible to tell when you have arrived, but if you are lucky enough to leave, it will never be clearer that you are far, far away from where you have started.