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Zara Baker

A JOURNEY THROUGH ALZHEIMER'S

Medium:

Generative AI

In an era where technology and human experience intertwine, ‘A Journey Through Alzheimer’s’ stands as a powerful testament to the potential of creative technology in storytelling. Inspired by my grandfather’s journey from a World War II hero to an Alzheimer’s patient, the experience offers a heartbreaking exploration of memory loss and its impact on the human psyche. Through a seamless blend of visual metaphors, emotive soundscapes, and creativity, it brings to life the complex and often tragic experience of living with Alzheimer’s disease. This innovative project serves as a bridge between medical understanding and emotional comprehension of the disease. By visualizing the abstract concept of fading memories, the experience creates a deeply moving narrative that resonates on both intellectual and emotional levels, fostering greater empathy and awareness for those affected by Alzheimer’s.

Medium:

Generative AI

Play Video about alzheimers-disease

VISUAL & AUDITORY ELEMENTS: 

The power of generative AI has brought to life a powerful narrative that captures the essence of Alzheimer’s disease and its impact on memory. The video opens with an elderly man, his eyes distant and unfocused, embodying the confusion often experienced by those with Alzheimer’s. As we delve into his mind, we witness the heartbreaking process of memory loss, beautifully visualized through ghostly images emerging from his consciousness, only to dissipate like steam. The first memory to fade is a joyous one – the birth of his grandson. This intimate moment, representing the newest addition to his family slips away into the fog surrounding his mind. Following this, we see other recent memories dissolving: a dinner outing with his son, card games with friends at a nursing home, and a peaceful day on a sailboat. Each memory transforms into mist, symbolizing the gradual loss of these precious moments. The sailboat memory, in particular, creatively morphs into a flock of seagulls taking flight, representing the fleeting nature of these recollections. The video delves into the past as the more recent memories fade. We witness vivid flashbacks of the man as a young soldier, gun in hand, fighting in World War II. This is followed by scenes of camaraderie in a bar with fellow soldiers and a tender moment when he meets the woman who would become his wife. These older memories, deeply etched in his mind, remain more resilient to the effects of Alzheimer’s, aligning with the disease’s typical progression. For the auditory elements, we fused sentimental music with natural sounds such as birds chirping, a baby cooing, and people socializing to humanize the memories experienced by patients with Alzheimer’s. These sounds complement the visual elements, enhancing the emotional depth of each scene and providing a more immersive experience for the viewer.

BLENDING SCIENCE & ART

This innovative project was created through a unique blend of medical research, personal experiences, and LoRA (Low-Rank Adaptation Model). Drawing from reputable sources like the Alzheimer’s Association of America, NCBI, and Mayo Clinic, I integrated the science of Alzheimer’s disease progression with the experiences of Alzheimer’s patients and used an iterative process to train the AI model. The visual elements were complemented by a custom-mixed soundtrack, fusing emotive music with ambient sounds through deep learning. This multifaceted approach resulted in a powerful experience, offering a unique perspective on living with Alzheimer’s.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

‘A Journey Through Alzheimer’s’ is an immersive metaphor for the loss of self that many Alzheimer’s patients experience. In the same sense, it is also empowering as it humanizes the patient’s journey and attempts to evoke empathy for those affected. I am thrilled to share this deeply moving and personal narrative and hope this experience fosters greater empathy and compassion for those living with Alzheimer’s disease.

I hope you enjoy the video. If you are interested in viewing the full experience, you can email: hello@zarabaker.me.

DISSIPATING MIST REPRESENTING MEMORY LOSS.

alzheimers

FORGETTING RECENT EVENTS SUCH AS THE BIRTH OF A GRANDSON.

alzheimers-patient

OLDER MEMORIES: RECALLING PAST EVENTS FROM EARLIER LIFE.

memory-loss

FADING MEMORY OF THINGS THE PATIENT LOVED.

man-meeting-his-wife

PAST MEMORIES: REMEMBERING EARLIER EMOTIONAL EXPERIENCES.

falling-in-love

INITIMATE PAST MOMENTS: FALLING IN LOVE.

marriage

PAST MEMORY: MARRYING THE WOMAN OF HIS DREAMS.

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