Rose Tinted: Nostalgia for a Life Not Lived

Rose Tinted: Nostalgia for a Life Not Lived is an immersive installation that invites audiences to question the authenticity of their own memories and the influence of media and cultural narratives on their sense of self. This work explores the haunting allure of nostalgia for a life not lived.

Through a dual-lens approach, combining 2D hand-drawn animation, gritty watercolor textures, and projection-mapped CGI, Rose Tinted blurs the line between reality and memory. Viewers are transported into animated “moments” that feel familiar yet are fabricated, prompting reflection on the seductive power of nostalgia, particularly through the lens of Slice of Life anime and Moe culture. The piece invites audiences to question whether the memories they long for are authentically theirs — or reflections shaped by media, fantasy, and desire.