General Overview

The tapestry depicts a scene of the Trojan War, as Greek warriors are fighting against the Sagittary, who is fighting on the side of the Trojans countered by a scene of a truce being written. It can be seen in the tapestry the bewildered look on the Sagittary’s face, showing the trouble that the Trojans may be up against.

Connection to the Theme

Before the end of the Trojan war, the Trojans face danger around every corner. Refugees must be on constant surveillance and anxiety in their home countries, explaining their flight, both then and now.

General Overview

The creator of the razor hand-carved the engravings within the handle and the edge of the blade. Due to the paralysis in his legs caused by overworking and malnutrition, he made this razor with the intent to use it for his suicide, but was persuaded against the act by his family.

Connection to the Theme

The creation and intentions behind this razor symbolize how the harsh conditions that refugees went through affected their desire to continue towards a better life. The precise engravings show how he would still want to end his life beautifully and meaningfully.

General Overview

This vase depicts Odysseus and his men traveling home from war. Sirens attempt to lure the men to their deaths, depicting conflict and their journey back from war.

Connection to Theme

Displays the ancient perspective and reality that even on your journey home, there are other factors that may effect your journey home. Potentially linked to the ‘Shirt with Bullet Hole’ Vietnamese refugee object, juxtaposing ancient and modern perspectives of Refugee journeys.

General Overview

Escaping Vietnam in 1981, Nguyen Long Chi encountered pirates and was shot; other people on the boat were robbed and sexually assaulted. 2 days later, the boat with land in Malaysia

Connection to Theme

The shirt shows the violent and tragic reality behind refugee journeys and how dangerous it really is. The bullet hole acts as a testament to how far Vietnamese Refugees were willing to go for their own freedom and security. These tribulations during flight are rarely shown in traditional data-centered models that depict the path as a straight line.

General Overview

This metal military compass belonged to Ngo Van Thu who fled Vietnam in 1986. Thu used this compass to lead 149 passengers to Malaysia by boat. During this time, compasses were one of the most desired items as they were rare and confiscated by local police.

Connection to Theme

Despite having to bury the compass for safekeeping, its symbolism represents the bravery and resourcefulness of refugees, to use and guide refugees on their individual journeys.

General Overview

Departing from Vietnam in 1984, the Boat of Hope transported eight adults and one child, journeying for seven days before being picked up by a French bulk carrier.

Connection to Theme

Shows a physical example of the conditions some refugees had to face on their journeys, and offers the perspective of picturing one’s self inside the boat. A visible artifact like this is crucially missing from most modern refugee models as they are poor at depicting the true difficulty of flight.

General Overview

This painting depicts a scene after the Trojan War where Trojan women set fire to their fleet. After wandering 7 years after the fall of Troy, the women decide it is time to put an end to the Trojans' wandering and settle in Sicily as their new home. These events were called on to set Aeneas' journey to lead the refugees out of Troy to their new future home.

Connection to Theme

This painting shows the emotions of the Trojan women, fed up from wandering after so long. After years of wandering, they decide it is time to finally put their suffering to an end to find a new home. Unfortunately for modern refugees, finding a home is not as simple as that.

General Overview

A woman’s prisoner shirt worn by Lieutenant Nguyen Thanh Thuy after her 13 years in the Z30D re-education prison camp in Thuan Hai, Vietnam. Her experience in prison mentally affected her several years after she was already released.

Connection to Theme

This uniform serves as a reminder of the violence and trauma experienced and received before relocation. Nguyen Thanh Thuy faced PTSD after her long imprisonment, triggered by the sound of keys. Only after getting treatment was she able to overcome her trauma. Refugees suffer from a variety of illnesses stemming from their experiences which is often overlooked in modern retelling.

General Overview

The diary recounts the journey from Vietnam of Nguyen Doan: escaped on a boat, attacked by pirates, girl was stolen, attacked by pirates again, killed pirates, sent to jail.

Connection to Theme

The diary’s cute and unassuming exterior betrays the harrowing experiences within, perhaps can be used as an allegory for the first world’s perspective of refugee struggles.

Implication

Through our digital exhibit, we hope to bring light to the reality of the refugee experience. We want to bright to light both the positive and negative, but most importantly the human, aspects of refugeehood, whether it be through the journey or the emotional effects.

Takeaways

By touching upon the before, during, and after perspectives, we hope to highlight the humanistic perspective on refugees. Building an understanding of the different periods of a refugee journey, How it is a reoccurring problem through many periods (In Greco-Roman times to modern times) Allowing space for empathy: “I keep my tattered memories of being a refugee close to me.” - Viet Thanh Nguyen