Aeronwyn's Lament

Aeronwyn represents the spirit of creativity that resides in children. The force that is hunted down to be broken by Fundamentalist beliefs. She represents the perspective of my collaborator and I as we grapple with our perceptions of Fundamentalist Christian beliefs, and what we see it doing to adolescents growing up in those communities. She in many ways is the spirit of the Hunting Unicorns Project. Her design is influence by the Unicorn depicted in a series of seven tapestries made in the South Netherlands around 1495–1505, and now in The Cloisters in New York called "Hunt of the Unicorn" (French: La Chasse à la licorne).

Out in the Cold

Ross is one of our virtual actors whose design is based directly off od Demian Shipley-Marshall to relate his story of growing up around a conservative Christian environment in Colorado Springs in the 90's.

I am not Andrea

This is the story of Tom. Born in the US originally, she moved to the UK when she was very young. Circumstances forced her to move back to the US, but the conservative life did not sit well with her and left scars she still has not completely recovered from.

The U.S Marshall

This is the story of Marshall. He grew up in a conservative Christian community which left him angry and cynical. He eventually left and traveled halfway around the world to try and be something more than what he was taught to be, but he discovered it's not so easy to move past an authoritarian upbringing.

Hildegard of Bingen

Religious deconstruction is a process where an individual critically examines their religious beliefs. It often involves questioning the authority of religious leaders, and the interpretation of sacred texts. In many fundamentalist communities this is often not tolerated, leaving the individual to decide if they leave or try and repress their doubts which can lead to self-loathing. Some become Atheists, but others wish to explore more about their faith. Many of the fundamentalist communities in the United States, teach only one interpretation of Christian scripture. As storytellers, we feel it is important for people in these positions to be aware that there are many ways to practice a faith, and they are not alone in this. Through history many figures like Hildigard of Bingen have followed their heart when it came to their faith and refused to dull their tung in the face of authoritarianism.

This is piece is also our first experiment with using generative AI to tell a story. For those who wish to collaborate with us to tell their stories, this will hopefully serve as an example of what may be possible.

No Choice

This the story of Adira. She grew up in a IBLP community, her early years seemed to be guiding her down a predetermined path of compliance, but her outlook changes when she became a mother. We follower her through her decision to become a cycle breaker as she reflects of the positive and the negative of being a "Gothard Girl" .