The Sea Within: Exploring Transcendental Experiences of Healing While Swimming with Humpback Whales and Transgenerational Grief

Abstract

This practice-oriented artistic project, undertaken as part of a Master of Philosophy, seeks to explore how transgenerational grief and healing can be articulated through the profound experience of diving with humpback whales, presented within multimedia installations. The project examines the potential of these installations to serve as a medium for translating the transcendental experience of whale diving, using sensory data to convey and potentially heal traumas inherited through ancestral narratives. Transgenerational grief, a concept that refers to the transmission of trauma across generations, often manifests in families who have endured significant historical upheavals. For me, this journey of exploration and healing began with my grandmother's escape from World War II in Europe, an event that has deeply influenced my family's history and sense of identity. This project represents a deliberate effort to reconnect with my whakapapa (genealogical lineage), allowing me to rediscover ancestral stories and acknowledge the dislocation and suffering my forebears experienced. By engaging with these narratives, I aim to honour their resilience and integrate their legacy into my contemporary identity. The research employs a practice-led methodology, encompassing stages of planning, embodiment, immersion, sensory data gathering, and installation prototyping. This methodological approach not only deepens the understanding of how transcendental experiences, such as diving with humpback whales, can be expressed artistically but also explores their potential as a tool for emotional and psychological healing. The project offers a novel perspective on the intersection of art, healing, and identity integration, contributing valuable insights to the broader discourse on the role of art in processing and transmitting cultural and familial legacies.