From Within is a multimedia installation that invites participants to communicate with an unborn child and follow their sonic journey. The project explores the dichotomy of bringing children into the world in the context of modern society, addressing the complex emotions and decisions surrounding this universal experience.

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Inspired by the search for humanity’s first trauma, the work draws from two thought-provoking quotes: Sigmund Freud’s observation that “the act of birth is the first experience of anxiety, and thus the source and prototype of the affect of anxiety,” and Otto Rank’s insight that “the abrupt separation from our mother and sudden exit from a protected environment to a hostile world leave a lasting impact on us.” These ideas form the foundation of a reflective exploration into how subtle traumas shape our psyche, often before we have the agency to influence our identity or environment.

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Life itself is a complex organism, and as young adults, we grapple with whether to bring new life into the world. From Within aims to illuminate the hidden psychological influences and inherited experiences that contribute to this decision, as well as the unspoken layers of our development.

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The installation materialized as a multichannel audiovisual environment designed to simulate an abstract birth journey. Participants engaged with the experience within a womb-like setting, immersing themselves in a deeply personal and evocative narrative. The project culminated in a live-streamed remote performance that was streamed into the telephone, bridging sound, visuals, and performance into a cohesive exploration of the journey from within.

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Developed under guidance of Akito van Toyer and in collaboration with MIT's Tangible Lab