The Memory of Folds

Gabor Kitzinger

Gábor Kitzinger’s 'The Memory of Folds,' premiering at the CODE Art Institute in 2025, is an immersive installation that depicts memory processes through a 7-minute, 30-second animation in a 20-meter hexagonal theater. Inspired by Dr. Valerie F. Reyna’s Fuzzy-Trace Theory, which differentiates precise (verbatim) from generalized (gist) memory, the work examines the interplay between factual recollection and imaginative reconstruction.

The experience begins in a deteriorating industrial hall, symbolizing the fragmentation of memory. Visual and auditory effects simulate falling, representing transitions between layers of recollection. Viewers then travel backward in time to a Gothic cathedral dome, invoking collective historical memories. Next, the journey leads to a cave reminiscent of Plato’s allegory, questioning perception and reality. Subsequent scenes illustrate surreal neural synapses, depicting the biological foundations of memory.

Viewers explore underwater reefs and fragmented cosmic landscapes, visualizing subconscious associations and emotional isolation. The sequence concludes with a rapid, reverse audiovisual effect, emphasizing the reconstructive nature of memory. Golden Palm-winning composer Rozi Mákó enhances the installation with an experimental soundscape, intensifying sensory engagement and emotional depth. 'The Memory of Folds' invites reflection on how memories shape personal and collective realities, raising the fundamental question: How do we truly remember?

Project Collaborators:

SOUND: ROZI MÁKÓ