Drawing on Heaney’s own experience with personal grief and sudden loss after the death of her sister, Sally, in 2019, Heartbreak and Magic explores the non-binary qualities of quantum physics to offer alternative perspectives on how we think and feel about the self and existence.

Loss and Hope

After losing her sister, Heaney turned to quantum physics (her previous career) as a source of comfort as she imagined her sister still existing somewhere in the quantum multiverse. Within the deeply emotive experience, audiences follow Heaney’s non-linear journey through grief and hope as she finds her way back to Sally.

Process

Heaney developed the work through an iterative, experimental process involving both physical and digital forms of creativity, from movement practice, writing, drawing, and painting to bespoke quantum computing code and game engine prototyping. Heartbreak and Magic brings her ongoing experimentation with quantum computing into virtual reality for the first time.

Installation

The VR experience was first presented alongside scroll-like multimedia drawings that charted the process and emotions in making the work as well as soft seating and curatorial elements like curtains and carpets. These invited comparison with and bought awareness to the softness of the audience members’ bodies.

Heartbreak and Magic was commissioned by HTC VIVE Arts.

It was originally presented in partnership with Somerset House, London and has also been exhibited at HEK Basel.