PRODUCTION
MERCEDES VR EXPERIENCE
Mercedes tells the story of Mercedes Viñales, the grandmother of artist Modesto ‘Flako’ Jimenez, whose immigration journey to America and descent into dementia presents a powerful story of caregiving, love, loss, and resilience. The VR experience––one part of an expansive multi-format work––immerses its viewer in a multisensory medium with a poetic, visually stunning recreation of Mercedes’ Bushwick home.
Viewers are invited to journey through the material objects and psychic space of the home where Jimenez grew up, and where he would spend years caring for the woman who once raised him. Through this new VR format, Jimenez, director Kevin Torres, and their team expand access to community resources and tools of self-expression for those living with dementia and their caregivers. Mercedes VR unlocks the capacity of this technology to amplify community outreach, spread the word about mental healthcare resources for those struggling with similar circumstances, and captivate all audiences with a poignant story of matriarchal influence and multigenerational care.
