Jacqueline Kan

Reconnecting cultural identity through the five senses of home and memory

This project is all about my personal connection back to home from a different perspective. Exploring the unique sensory experience of all your five senses —touch, taste, sound, sight and smell. These senses often serve as gateways to memory which allow individuals who have experienced Asian diaspora to hopefully reconnect with their cultural identity while navigating life in Western societies. This project highlights the power of sensory-driven storytelling and self-expression by focusing on the interplay between identity, memory, and culture.

The artefact that has been created is a multi-sensory "Memory House," a box that invites others to step into my personal symbolic family home. Inside, different interactive elements correspond to the five senses, each telling a unique story tied to cultural heritage, family traditions, and personal experiences. The box’s outer design reflects the Western world, but once opened, it reveals a world of nostalgic memories and cultural reconnections.