undefined borders — Junyang Du

Globalization has led to increased migration and relocation, with many individuals experiencing life in multiple places as they seek opportunities for work and personal growth. Beyond mere geographical borders, individuals with both heritage and lived experience are negotiating with transition in culture, values, and identity recognition. Despite this fluidity, individuals are often still associated with the fixed conception of their original hometown, their lived experiences and multi-faceted identities overlooked . Through ethnographic research, I interviewed individuals who constantly relocate and do not identify with specific geographical locations. This investigation led to a publication highlighting the limitations of current conventional narratives and designed interventions Responding to the circumstances and effects of the interviewed individuals, I developed neologisms to seek new language and visuals that can capture the nuanced process of identity formation amidst geographical migration. Drawing inspiration from Deleuze and Guattari’s concept of a-signifying semiotics, I created three virtual worlds to inspire individuals to navigate the fluidity and complexity of identity in ever-changing worlds. By moving past the essentialistic understanding of hometown, the goal is to transcend the fixation on geographical location and foster a consciousness that support the open and growing complexity of diaspora narratives.