The Sea Within: Navigating Transcendental Healing and Transgenerational Grief Through Encounters with Humpback Whales

Abstract

This practice-oriented artistic project, undertaken as part of a Master of Philosophy, aims to explore how transgenerational grief and healing can be conveyed through the profound experience of diving with humpback whales, presented within multimedia installations. The project investigates the potential of these installations to act as a medium for translating the transcendental experience of whale diving, using sensory data to express and possibly heal traumas passed down through ancestral narratives. Transgenerational grief, a concept referring to the transmission of trauma across generations, often appears in families that have faced 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 impacted my family's history and sense of identity. This project is a conscious effort to reconnect with my whakapapa (genealogical lineage), allowing me to rediscover ancestral stories and acknowledge the dislocation and suffering experienced by my forebears. By engaging with these narratives, I aim to honour their resilience and weave their legacy into my contemporary identity. The research follows a practice-led methodology, encompassing stages such as planning, embodiment, immersion, sensory data gathering, and installation prototyping. This methodological approach not only enhances 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 provides a fresh perspective on the intersection of art, healing, and identity integration, offering valuable insights to the broader discourse on the role of art in processing and conveying cultural and familial legacies.