How do we define strength? What does it look like in art, in solitude, and in life? A candid discussion on vulnerability and the intersection between being “fierce” and being “fragile.”

A Meditation on Vulnerability was built from a series of interviews regarding the complex boundaries of strength and sensitivity. Initially conducted in the fall of 2023, the interviews were edited to serve as the audio for my final project in my Introductory 2D Animation course. While the animation itself was never finished given the scope and time constraints of the project, I found myself drawn back to the audio in April 2024. Rather than animation, I decided to use existing footage I had of my dearest friends to enhance the points they made in their interviews. What resulted is a small think piece on loving yourself and others, and trusting your gentleness in the knowledge that it also brings resilience.

CREDITS:

Filmed on Sony Handycam CCD-TRV138.

Featuring voices of Afnan Amdeen, Fabiha Azim, Mario Berkeley, Egi Canie, Kobey Davis, Joey Dryoel, Grace Gradowski, Dan O'Leary, Josh Oliveros, Andrew Schmitt, Amber Welzenbach, and Eric Wilhoyt.

Original music by Josh Oliveros.

Directed/Edited by Lily Chen.

2024.