For my MR project, I’m planning to create something that preserves the memory of the old campus. Ideally, I’d love to scan the entire campus and make a small-sized version to place inside Magnolia House. But realistically, since that would involve using drones and a lot of complex work, I’ll focus on scanning something more achievable: the school’s plaque with the logo and name.
The last time I visited, the name had already been removed, but you could still see its trace. That moment felt bittersweet—so many people, myself included, still miss the old campus. Because of COVID, we didn’t get the chance to say a proper goodbye at the end of the semester, and it just doesn’t feel right that it’s gone without closure. I want to capture that sense of memory and longing, especially since in just two more years, the students here won’t have ever set foot on the old campus. The 8th floor, where IMA was, holds a lot of special memories.
For the MR experience, I’m going to place the plaque near the entrance of Magnolia House, as a nod to how it used to welcome everyone at the old campus. I’ll put it near the long sofa—people can sit down and either reflect on those old memories or pretend they’re sitting on the plaque itself, just like the freshmen used to on their first day. I hope this small piece of the past will help keep the old campus alive in some way for those who remember it, and for those who never got the chance to see it.
Last time visiting it with my friends
Alternate Proposal: “Call Girl Bronze Statue - Preserving Memory”
If unfortunately, everything is gone in the old campus, here is the alternate proposal.
This mixed reality (MR) project will recreate the “Call Girl” bronze statue, which disappeared from Shanghai's Huaihai Road in 2000. The virtual installation will evoke nostalgia and prompt reflection on the importance of preserving public art and urban history.
The statue, once a well-known landmark, vanished mysteriously and was later discovered to have been sold as scrap. A replacement was installed in 2006, but the original holds cultural significance for many in Shanghai.
Using MR technology, I will place a virtual replica of the statue at Magnolia House. This digital experience will allow users to interact with the statue and learn its history, sparking discussions on memory, public art, and urban culture. By blending history with emerging technology, this project preserves a key piece of Shanghai’s past while exploring how MR can help keep collective memories alive.
