Blog#1 Brainstorm

Philadelphia Sensory Diary: A Personal Geography of Memory

Core Concept of the Project

This is an exploratory journey unfolding through a first-person perspective. The creator (myself) is no longer an objective observer but the protagonist and sensory guide of the narrative. The project aims to construct an intensely personal emotional map of the city through my multi-sensory experiences—auditory, olfactory, tactile—interacting with Philadelphia. It is not merely a record of Philadelphia, but an exploration of the essence of memory, identity, and emotion through the city as a mirror.

For example:

Touch, plunging your hands into the icy waters of the Schuylkill River.
Smell, the fragrance of flowers outside a florist’s shop I’ve never noticed before.
Sound, listening to a street performer singing a song I’ve never heard before.

Format: Short Documentary + Multi-Sensory Installation (can serve as an extension for video)
Style: Poetic, introspective, immersive

2.

Review of Past MA Project
Aaliyah Pope’s documentary attracts me the most, Silent Struggles: Addressing the Mental Health Stigma Surrounding Black Female Athletes (Pope, 2023). 

I particularly resonate with her conclusion: media should “dehumanize” rather than “mythologize” Black female athletes, acknowledging their vulnerability and complexity. Such projects truly demonstrate the power media can unleash in dismantling stigma and fostering dialogue, deepening my hope that my future work will challenge preconceptions and provoke deeper reflection.

This work centers on the mental health crisis among female college athletes, blending interviews with documentary-style follow-ups. Aaliyah herself appears on screen as a narrative guide, weaving together the stories of different individuals. What resonated most deeply with me was how, as a Black female creator, she infused this topic with a uniquely authentic perspective. I often ponder how to integrate personal identity and observation into research and creation. I need to find my own angle of entry. Seeing Aaliyah’s work so effectively “tell valuable stories through her own lens” resonates deeply. I admire her natural, sincere, and powerful mode of expression.

Citation:
Pope, A. (2023). Silent Struggles: Addressing the Mental Health Stigma Surrounding Black Female Athletes [MA project]. Temple University.