Dashen Zhang (b.2002), currently lives and works in London and Jinan. His work continuously explores the ontology and history of photography, using images as his primary medium while simultaneously investigating photography as a subject, connecting historical narratives and personal emotions. 

dashenzhang02@outlook.com
Instagram: @dashshenz


03.Memora

2025
Collaborative work with
Oleksandra Umanska
Siwen Fang
Qianyu Zhou

Digital Art
 
https://acrossrca2025.rca.ac.uk/projects/memora/

Memora is a digital speculative platform that envisions a near future where memories are no longer private experiences but tradable digital assets. On this platform, users can upload, browse, and purchase memories—each priced by AI based on emotional, historical, or social value. But there’s a catch: once a memory is sold, the original owner forgets it entirely, while the buyer absorbs it as their own.

This speculative project challenges our understanding of identity, memory ownership, and the commodification of human experience. As technology increasingly shapes how we store and share our lives, Memora asks: what happens when even our most intimate moments can be bought, sold, and forgotten?

A key aspect of the project is the use of found analogue photographs. These real, anonymous images replace fabricated content to create a stronger sense of authenticity and emotional depth. They serve as narrative fragments—memories detached from their origins and reassigned to new owners—highlighting the blurred boundaries between memory, fiction, and ownership.

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