Celebrating Our Artist in Residence Parul Wadhwa

Editor’s Note: Over the past several years, StoryCenter has embarked on exciting collaborations with visual artists. Much of this work was kicked off by our relationship with our first-ever Artist in Residence, Parul Wadhwa. Parul's official time with us ended last summer, and now she's joining the world of academia. Below is a short conversation between Parul and our staff member Amy Hill, as well as links to some of the wonderful creative projects she helped to spearhead during her time with us.

Amy: Parul, you've been our first official Artist in Residence at StoryCenter. Can you share a bit about what drew you to our organization back in 2018?

Parul: StoryCenter's pioneering work in digital storytelling and expansive network with community organizations was very exciting to me as a media artist using emerging technologies for social impact. The opportunity to create participatory digital stories with a strong ethical framework drew me towards the organization, and the potential to voice my approach through an "artist residency" seemed an exceptional offer.

Parul created this story as part of one of our pilot Stories of Home workshops, in collaboration with artist Chloe Wilson. The workshop paired a group of women immigrants with local artists.

Amy: During your time with us, you really enriched our ongoing collaboration on the Stories of Home project. I'd love to hear your thoughts about how your own status as an immigrant to the U.S. shaped your vision for the various workshops we've done together, particularly during these recent tumultuous years for immigrant policy in the U.S., and the rise of xenophobia during Trump’s presidency.

Parul: Stories of Home is a special project for me. I was both a subject and creator in this project, and that dual role helped me approach the use of technology with immigrant and refugee communities with foresight and empathy. The project also gave me a sense of belonging and helped me find a community of fellow immigrants (especially women) who I could call friends. While creating stories and working with fellow participants, I myself felt "at home" in ways that I had not previously, as a newcomer in the Bay Area. Really, I feel that the project was more enriching to me than I was to it. The sense of solidarity I gained through Stories of Home is unparalleled with any relationships or networks I would have created on my own in the region. And, of course, it has been an honor to see the Stories of Home VR pieces (link to 2D version of these stories) featured and awarded at the film festivals and programs that featured the work.*

Stories of Home VR trailer, produced in 2021.

Amy: Wow, that’s so lovely to hear. Really moving. I love that the work was personally meaningful for you in this deep way. So, beyond the work on Stories of Home, you collaborated with us and spearheaded several other projects. I'm thinking specifically of your involvement in our COVID storytelling effort in India, and then also of the Material Memories (see stories from this project) and Art-Tech-Story (see images from this project) workshops we did. Can you offer reflections or describe moments that stand out to you, from this body of work?

Parul: Yes, they were all different projects with different and beautiful outcomes. The COVID stories project in India offered me an opportunity to work on narratives of people dealing with illness and the loss of loved ones in India, even as I was dealing with loneliness and fear of death, living on my own in the States during the earlier months of the pandemic. Being part of this effort gave me courage, as powerful stories emerged. Art-Tech-Story was a fun workshop, teaching several digital art making apps and tools primarily to alums of other StoryCenter workshops. This workshop brought very engaging responses from participants to digital tools which can be often intimidating. The workshop on Material Memories was an offshoot of my creative research and pedagogy with lost objects, and I look forward to continuing to work with this approach in the future.

Playlist of stories from the project, Imagine Another World: COVID-19 in India.

Amy: Before joining StoryCenter, you did a wide variety of film work, including VR films. When we first met, I learned of your thoughtful approach to engaging with stories as part of the project you did on the Partition of India in 1947 ( the change of political borders and the division of other assets that accompanied the dissolution of the British Raj in South Asia, and the creation of two independent dominions: India and Pakistan). Can you talk about what aspects of that project carried into your work with us, and how our participatory community based methods have influenced your practice?

Parul: Yes! I had extensive experience working in the film world with stints in Bollywood and the VFX industry in London. My VR documentary film on the Partition of India is a deeper dive into the concept of material memories and their association with a real-time encounter with objects belonging to a Partition refugee that I found in a museum in India. There are few films available on Partition, let alone anything in the 3D world. This piece leads the audience into the life and elements of a Partition refugee, and questions the futility of trying to find a home in places characterized as borderlands.

Amy: Moving forward, you're off to the realm of higher education. In addition to your teaching responsibilities, what hopes of community-based collaborations do you have, and how can we keep our partnership going?

Parul: Yes, I am excited about the world of academia and the space it offers me to explore my work further in technology and community building. I would love to continue working with StoryCenter, bringing AR/VR/XR into the fold of your community storytelling work.

Amy: You've inspired me in so many ways, Parul. I never imagined I’d help produce a series of VR stories, as part of Stories of Home. I won’t forget the time you came over and put my daughter Fana in a VR headset for the first time so she could experience what it’s like to “draw” in that environment! I know I'll really miss working with you and dreaming up amazing projects. Is there anything else you'd like to share about your time with us?

Parul: Likewise, Amy! Our collaboration has taught me that there is definitely a need for emerging technologies in the space of community storytelling work, and your faith and partnership has led us to achieve quite a lot in a short period of time. StoryCenter is such a wonderful organization, and I am walking away with experience, amazing creative work, and enduring relationships. I am truly grateful and blessed to have crossed paths with you and the team!

Stories of Home VR has screened at the following film festivals: Austin Indie Fest (U.S.), Beijing International Film Festival (China), Bilbao Seriesland Web Fest Festival (Spain), deadCenter Film Festival of Oklahoma City (U.S.; recipient of Honorable Mention); FIVARS - Festival of International Virtual & Augmented Reality Stories (Canada), Florida Film Festival (U.S.; an Academy Award qualifying film festival), Harlem International Film Festival (U.S.; winner of the Best of VR award category); World Film Carnival (Singapore; winner of a Best of AR/VR Certificate of Achievement). The project was also screened online by the California Film Institute and presented in the 360 films exhibition section of the Diversity and Inclusion Research Conference in New York City.

If you would like to get in touch with Parul regarding her work, please feel free to email her at parwad@gmail.com.