Yum Cha

My thesis project is in honor of my late grandmother. The process of loss was particularly difficult for me. During the pandemic, one of her frequent wishes during the pandemic was to go out for dim sum(yum cha) but due to health risks and her age, it was never possible. My deepest regret was not being able to share a final dim sum meal with her. I was unable to say my final farewell or fulfill this wish. Through this project, I recreate the experience of sharing a dim sum meal with her. It is both a personal grief ritual and an invitation for others to engage in their own reflections on loss and provide support resources to those navigating similar emotions. 

The work takes the form of an interactive installation centered around a dim sum table, set with handmade clay replicas of the dishes my family and I would often order together. There is also a layered shelf in the front resembling a reception desk. On the top shelf, they can select a menu sheet that doubles as a questionnaire, designed to help them explore signs of prolonged grief. If people are comfortable sharing their answers and stories about their loved ones, then there is a facilitated conversation at this table. After completing the questionnaire, participants match their score to a folder on the second shelf, where they’ll find a personalized receipt which is an evaluation of their results. Before leaving, visitors are invited to take a business card containing QR codes linked to grief support resources, and grab a takeout box to grab some stickers from the steamer. This project aims to provide a space for reflection, emotional support, and building community.