MICHELLE FORSYTH

UPSTAIRS: STORIES FROM A LIVE/WORK SPACE (2016-2023)


I have been working on a memoir Upstairs: Stories from a Live/Work Space for five years now and have accumulated many pages of words. The plot traces the movements of an unnamed protagonist—an artist in her through her late 40s to early 50's—as she navigates the ups and downs of living alone with a progressive disease. When her mother comes to help her out after surgery to recieve a deep brain stimulator implant to help control her Parkinson’s tremors, she is relieved. As the narrative develops, the reader is invited into the intimate world of the protagonist as she describes her changing relationship with the objects and the spaces of her home as her disease progresses. The belongings featured in the narrative trigger memories of past and present relationships.The story of her life is framed by her mother's care as well as her love for her, even though conflicts ensue. An appendix to the book, in the form of drawings are meant to accompany the text,


 

Below is the first in a series of animations based loosely on the text and images from the book.

Everyday Objects (Chapter 1: The Bedroom)
Animation (duration: 20 minutes)
Designed for a 24 inch screen. Note: If you view this on a cell phone, the text is difficult to read.