What would you say to me, if I lost my memory and can not recognize you?

I had the pleasure of being invited to experience Love Me, Hug Me — a pop-up art installation in New York City. The exhibition themes as a love story of a couple whose love memory is gradually stolen by Alzheimer’s disease, and it is aimed to appeal to everyone to cherish the present and seize the memorial moment.

Will love ever be forgotten? 

Through the 7 room experience, you walk through the journey of the characters. It tells the story of Modesto and Lolis. Starting with a short love film at the start of the exhibit — you walk through Momento Terminal, Twisted Playground, Pink Station to the Secret Galaxy, eventually to find peave in Fading Zone and finally Love Crossroad. The founder, Elaine Hong, was inspired by her grandparents’ love story and the movie ‘Wrinkles’ to create this pop-up exhibition. As she grows up, Elaine wondered why her grandmother kept telling grandfather stories and walking him down the road they had been. 

The pop-up is what you’d call, Instagrammable, as most of us enjoy taking beautiful pictures (like Museum of Ice Cream - style), but this exhibit is so much more than photos. If you actually follow the love story, if you let yourself feel it, if you think of your loved ones — this place touches your heart. What makes me, me? It’s my memories. As someone still dealing with the loss of a parent… the biggest way I keep my mother alive, is through the memories of her. To keep memory from slipping away is a way to keep those we love with us. Needless to say, I had to wipe away tears by the 7th room.

Momento Terminal (Room 2): aka the butterfly room, represents pieces of faded memories. The sweet memories. Of a happy life, turned to butterflies.

Secret Galaxy (Room 5): a quiet space where all you see is the light within the darkness. A place for soul-mates.

Fading Zone (Room 6): to go from the serene galaxy to here, you felt the confusion. Unable to recognize a face, but be surrounded by so many, you’d feel lost.

Live life with intention — understand how precious our time and moments are. We are not guaranteed tomorrow, but Alzheimer’s disease takes away piece by piece. I can’t imagine the fear. So keep those struggling with it close to you, keep your loved ones in your heart and life. If this exhibit has taught me anything, it’s that feelings are more powerful than words. and there is nothing quite like the reassurance that someone is loved and safe with you.

Which ends with Love Crossroad (Room 7): although Alzheimer’s conditions worsen, being surrounded by loved ones can help ease the fear. We can help our friends and family find meaning in life, renewed, everyday — through love.

Photos by Luis Cardona

Love Me Hug Me is proud to announce a new pop up exhibition, officially collaborated with CaringKind, a New York’s leading expert on Alzheimer’s and dementia caregiving. With interactive capabilities, Love Me Hug Me lets participants experience a touching immersive love story. It tells the story of the reoccurrence of a couple whose love memory is gradually stolen by Alzheimer’s disease.

The event debuted in New York City on December 1st at 139 Wooster St, New York, NY 10012. 

10% of ticket sales will go to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America to provide support to these individuals and families.