Aking Tita

Phoenixe Nievera

A tribute to my late Aunt, Luanne through an experimental documentary and a photobook titled "I am Whirlwind." The short film features mixed media animations and family testimonies, while the photobook shares her poetry, letters, and photos, capturing her multifaceted personality and our shared grief.

This project is a tribute to my late Aunt, Luanne, who passed away a year ago, at the age of 41. It consists of an experimental documentary short film and a photobook titled "I am Whirlwind." The documentary combines mixed media animations and filmed testimonies from family and friends, piecing together her life like a mosaic.

These mixed media animations featured in the short film were created by printing out selected visuals, manipulating them with oil pastels, acrylic paints, and scratching techniques, then scanning and sequencing the frames. This process results in an animation that evokes a sketch-like, 'unfinished' quality to visualise nostalgia and memory.

I am Whirlwind

The photobook serves as a prologue to the film, sharing her poetry and story through found letters & photographs, intertwined with the grief of losing her mother at a young age. I grew up with Auntie Luanne and always promised to help her fix her scoliosis and such, but she died before I could fulfil those promises.

Through these projects, I aim to immortalise my beloved Auntie Lu and share her multifaceted personality and essence of who she was. Stubborn yet kind, solitary yet loving, broken yet fierce.

“Whatever causes night to your soul may leave stars”
- Victor Hugo -

Author

Phoenixe Nievera

Film

I am Phoenixe, a creatively curious student of the world who is eager in creating thought-provoking meanings and sharing my experiences through the arts. Her works have been collaborative, from exhibitions, fine arts, animation, filmmaking and photographs. Born in Manila, Philippines and currently residing in Bangkok, Thailand, I aim to push creative boundaries and contribute to the visual arts community when I graduate.

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