FINAL DESTINATION

One of my interests has long been centered on the cultural and anthropological aspects of mortality, including the diverse rituals surrounding death worldwide. Being a trauma survivor and a person who lost his grandparents, relatives and many friends just over the past couple of years, cemeteries, with their often surreal and mystical ambiance, have been a focal point of this fascination. It is a space of discomfort and grief for me as well. ​

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Moreover, upon arriving in the United States about four months ago, I was particularly struck by the role of cemeteries as a space of collective memory, observing the unique decorations, sculptures, and the interplay between nature and these final resting places. ​

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"Final Destination" is an ongoing observational documentary project that examines the cultural landscapes and environments of Syracuse's cemeteries. This project takes the cemeteries as protagonists, documents their evolving appearances across varying light conditions, seasons and human interactions, and investigates the dynamic relationship between nature and these sacred spaces, exploring how these interactions shift over time. Also, this project serves as an attempt to translate my complex emotions into visual narratives, capturing my subjective experience when visiting these cemeteries.​