Nostalgia Mechanica poses the question: “When you look back at the moments of your childhood, where does that feeling of nostalgia come from?” This unique machine archives memories and releases them as the sentimental feelings you experience.
To activate the machine, participants must spin its gears, each producing a unique effect. Once all five gears are spun, the Nostalgia Mechanica comes to life, unveiling an immersive experience that captures the whimsy of childhood through vibrant colours, playful lights, and nostalgic sounds of days gone by.
User Guide:
• Turn all five gears using the attached handles to generate a wave of nostalgia within a 5 km radius.
• Caution: Operate with care, as emotional resonance may vary from person to person.
Artists
Diana Tran
Diana Tran is a sculptural artist based in Kitchener-Waterloo. Her work focuses on reconstructing memories through small scale dioramas. She uses historical photographs and ephemera as points of reference in her work. Her projects are deeply rooted in the concept of memorializing what we hold dear. An ongoing project she is passionately working on is making miniature clay portraits of people’s pets. By capturing their likeness and spirit, she helps pet owners commemorate their furry friends, turning cherished memories into lasting and tangible pieces of art.
Diana Tran, Nathan Fischer and Daniel Pechersky are known as The Treehouse Collective.
Nathan Fischer
Nathan Fischer is a PhD student researching nanomaterial pigments to make more intense colours. Outside of his research, he loves tinkering on large scale light projects. The meeting point of his love for technology, interactive art and colour, is at the forefront of his artistic pursuit. With time, he hopes to build bigger, brighter, and more technologically ambitious pieces to help bridge the deceptively short gap between art and science.
Diana Tran, Nathan Fischer and Daniel Pechersky are known as The Treehouse Collective.
Daniel Pechersky
Daniel Pechersky believes art that engages with you physically can connect to you on a deeper level. As a result, he has been working with his artist friends to make pieces that can be touched and played with. Using software, he imbues the piece with interactivity by using microcontrollers he programs ("bugs" as he calls them due to their rows of legs) that allow the piece to "speak" back to the observer.
Diana Tran, Nathan Fischer and Daniel Pechersky are known as The Treehouse Collective.
