Blog Diary

Jim Jarmusch’s Paterson is like a cup of water at just the right temperature—unassuming yet nourishing. Devoid of dramatic conflict, it quietly follows the week-long life of a bus driver-poet of the same name. Yet it is precisely this seemingly monotonous repetition that reveals another possibility for urban sensory storytelling.

Sound as Narrative Protagonist
The steady hum of the bus engine forms a stable low-frequency backdrop, like the city’s fundamental breath. Most striking are the laundromat scenes—the rhythmic churn of washing machine drums, the rush of water, and fragments of conversations intertwine, allowing me to almost feel the space’s humidity, temperature, and the subtle distance between people. This made me ponder: What is the sonic foundation of Philadelphia? Is it the roar of the subway pulling into the station, the early morning sounds of goods being moved in the Italian Market, or the music played by someone on a street corner?

Poetry in Ordinary Objects
The matchboxes, stair railings, and mailboxes that recur throughout the film are imbued with a certain sacredness through close-up shots. The way Paterson touches these objects makes me feel that a city’s memory resides not only in its landmarks but also in the surfaces touched daily by countless people. Even the smallest tactile details can convey a city’s history.

Structured around seven days, the film follows similar routes and rituals each day, yet subtle shifts unfold. This framework evokes the essence of urban sensory experience—we traverse the same streets daily, yet each passage feels distinct due to variations in weather, light, season, and mood. Perhaps I too could attempt visiting the same location at the same time for seven consecutive days, documenting the nuanced shifts in light, sound, and scent. (A sudden thought)

I increasingly believe my project needn’t pursue grand narratives. I simply need to express everything I feel…

Reference

Jarmusch, J. (2016). Paterson. Bleecker Street Media.

summary of an academic resource

1. Constance Classen’s 1993 monograph The World of the Senses: Explorations in History and Cross-Cultural Research stands as a seminal work in sensory anthropology and cultural studies. Through detailed historical and ethnographic case studies, the book systematically argues that sensory experience is not a purely neutral physiological phenomenon, but rather a profoundly cultural construction. The author challenges the hegemony of “visual centralism” within Western modernity, revealing that distinct “sensory regimes”—hierarchies, cultural valuations, and social applications of sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch—exist across different cultures and historical periods (such as medieval Europe, the Andaman Islands of South America, and the Desana society). Krashen points out that these sensory modes shape how people perceive the world, organize society, construct worldviews, and even exercise power, thereby powerfully demonstrating that sensory history is an indispensable part of human cultural and intellectual history.

2. “Worlds of Sense” provides the essential theoretical foundation for my multisensory documentary project on Philadelphia, elevating my personal practice of collecting sensory memories into a profound “urban sensory ethnography.” The work powerfully argues for the cultural construction of sensory experience, guiding me to move beyond purely visual narrative and instead critically explore the unique “sensory models” and “sensory signatures” within Philadelphia’s diverse communities. Through dimensions of sound, smell, and touch, it reveals the city’s cultural stratifications, historical transformations, and social power dynamics, thereby transforming my project from a personalized artistic expression into a multisensory exploration with deep cultural critical significance.

3. This week, I’ve been focusing on finding inspiration by watching short films and paying attention to their editing techniques and use of music. I’m still developing my project concept and want it to explore a deeper social issue, though I haven’t settled on a specific topic yet. I’m also thinking about possibly creating a multisensory art installation alongside the short film to make the experience more immersive for the audience. Next week, I plan to continue refining my ideas, narrow down a central theme and find more academic resources.

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.