MOTEL DÉJÀ VU, WE’VE ALL SEEN, 2011

In 2011, I had a solo art show called “Motel Déjà Vu, We’ve all seen” at Rhodes Contemporary Art in London. The exhibit had 13 paintings with the theme ‘13 doors, 13 paintings, 13 ambiences,’ aiming to make people feel a strong sense of familiarity using both visual and auditory elements. The idea was that the scenes in the paintings might have happened in the distant past, pieced together from memories.

The core of the exhibit was 13 carefully made paintings, each like a doorway to its own unique world. These paintings aimed to not only impress with their artistry but also make people think about the blurry line between memory and imagination. Alongside the visual part, there was a thoughtfully chosen soundscape made from recordings and designed sounds linked to each artwork. This audio experience made the exhibit more immersive, letting visitors explore the paintings through multiple senses.

“Motel Déjà Vu, We’ve all seen” shows how immersive storytelling can bring forgotten memories to life through art. Wendy Rae Fowler’s live performance on the opening night added another layer to the experience, blending seamlessly with the exhibit’s atmosphere. The collaboration with Daan Hendriks for sound design, Helena Carnegie for textiles, and Andy Doig for neon lights enhanced the overall exhibition.

The “Door installation of Me and the Machine” was a symbolic gateway, inviting visitors into a world where the past and present come together. The carefully crafted neon lights, textile elements, and immersive sound design worked together to transport viewers into a space where reality and nostalgia mix.

© Copyright - Lidia de Pedro