The Stories We Carry
Crafted entirely from paper, The Stories We Carry takes flight in the form of a giant paper airplane, piloted by a solitary shadow puppet figure. Its surface is layered with primarily abstract symbols alongside more familiar ones, drawn from the personal narrative of a single child participant. The symbols were generated using an audio visualization technique that translated the participant’s spoken story into graphic forms, resembling ink blots, bug trails, or calligraphy. Together, they form a visual asemic language—suggesting meaning through abstract marks rather than literal text—acting as both a record and a metaphor for a life story.
Rooted in semiotics, the work explores how identities are shaped through the culturally and historically specific signs we use to create meaning. The paper airplane recalls the playful act of folding and throwing notes across a classroom, an early form of storytelling and connection. In this context, it becomes a symbol of how we share our narratives with others: informally, creatively, and often in motion. The airplane serves as a direct representation of how personal narratives are constructed, held together, and shared through symbolic expression.
Dimensions: 2′ W x 3’H
Price: $500
Artist:
Chris Ignacio is a Filipino-American puppeteer, producer, educator, and interdisciplinary artist whose work explores the intersection of voice, technology, and identity. He holds an MFA in Theatre/Interdisciplinary Digital Media from Arizona State University, where he teaches motion capture and 3D animation. He is the Creative Producer for the T. Denny Sanford Harmony Institute at ASU.
Researcher:
Manisha Thakkar, MD, is a pediatrician, educator, artist, and entrepreneur. A Clinical Assistant Professor at University of Arizona–Phoenix and AT Still University, she has served communities for 25+ years, mentoring future physicians and advocating for children’s health with a philosophy that “new possibilities arise from impossible tasks.”