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Paper short abstract

This project explores the symbol of the child-self as digital avatar, tactile plasticine figure, and in a game engine environment. It examines how material engagement and symbolic play in these forms support memory retrieval at the intersection of psychotherapy, documentary, and visual anthropology.

Paper long abstract

This research explores the effectiveness of the visual symbol of the child-self as a representation of a childlike aspect across various media forms. The study moves from realism toward blank symbolism, transitioning from digital representations to analogue forms, with particular focus on symbolic representation and materiality. Central to this exploration is the distinction between ‘significant motif’ and ‘significant form,’ concepts from Susanne Langer. Langer differentiates motifs as external representational devices and forms as embodied expressions carrying deeper cultural or personal meaning. This distinction frames the shift from digital avatars to the malleable, tactile medium of plasticine, considered a more potent medium for accessing embodied memories and deeper emotional resonance.

While avatars, as ‘significant motifs,’ aim to serve as realistic representations, they often fail to engage deeply with unconscious, embodied experiences. In contrast, working with abstract plasticine symbols, as a physical material form, facilitates a direct connection to the body and memory, offering an embodied symbolic form aligned with Langer’s notion of “unknown forms of sentience.” Through this lens, the study examines the role of materiality and embodied practice in cultural and psychological expression, suggesting plasticine’s tangible nature enables more profound, culturally resonant memory retrieval and symbolic exploration.

The final project stage involved transposing revolving squiggles - representing the child-self - from plasticine models into digital form and integrating them into an interactive documentary built within Epic Games’ Unreal Engine. User testing within this environment elicited a range of embodied memories, particularly related to movement and play.