Unboxed

While walking through a small vintage store at the Jersey Shore, I found an old View Master tucked between stacks of postcards and seashells. When I held it up to the light, I felt a quiet sense of nostalgia, as if I was peering into someone else's memories. That small moment sparked this project and reminded me how objects can carry emotion and story. Inspired by the 1929 silent film Pandora's Box, this work explores how women are seen, judged, and redefined through images. I created three photographic reels titled The Gaze, The Blame, and The Hope, each capturing a different emotional perspective on perception, blame, and resilience. The piece is presented through the same View Master I found that day. Its stereoscopic design creates a small and focused world for each image, inviting viewers to look closely and reflect on their own act of seeing. Every photograph was taken and composed to convey layers of meaning through light, framing, and symbolism. In making this work, I often thought about the women in my life, especially my mother, sister, and friends, whose strength and tenderness have shaped who I am. This project became a love letter to them, to their stories, and to the sense of community and connection they have given me. Unboxed will be exhibited at the NYU Library from October to December 2025 and invites viewers to reflect on how the image of women continues to evolve in both art and everyday life.