The Lost Queer Kids

Collaborator : John Luo | Johnlol.net

The Lost Queer Kids is an interactive experience shedding light on the struggles faced by queer youth in our society. Through a series of intimate interactions, users uncover painful truths about loss while guiding the soul of a lost queer child toward their final destination. This project utilizes a Kinect camera, Unreal Engine 5, and TouchDesigner to create a commemorative narrative honoring those whose stories ended too soon.

Screen Recording | Demo

Physical Testing | Kinect Camera | Touch Designer

Interaction Breakdown

At the beginning of the experience, viewers will be prompted to wave their hand. The Kinect camera will capture this movement, sending OSC signals via TouchDesigner to Unreal Engine, enabling the fog to be wiped away from the eyeball of the queer kid's spirit.

Later, viewers will be asked to wave their hand again. This movement will activate specific trigger boxes in Unreal, causing flowers to light up and illuminate a path for the wayward spirit.

Project Flexibility

This project incorporates multiple interactive components, each with its own purpose. These moving parts can be adjusted, removed, or multiplied based on the specific requirements of the space and the intended audience. My collaborator and I are highly flexible and committed to customizing the experience to ensure it aligns with the needs and expectations of the display space.

We aim to create an impactful and adaptable experience, and we welcome the opportunity to refine and tailor the project to best suit its environment and audience.

An Alternative Version

This project is ever-evolving. For those interested in its origins, I encourage exploring the Dead Queer Kids Don’t Go to Heaven project, the foundation for this work. Each iteration represents my dedication to amplifying this critical subject and ensuring it remains in focus. If there’s interest, this original version is largely ready for public display, with its triggers and interactions mostly set up. This serves as a strong alternative to continue engaging audiences with this important topic, and will be an excellent candidate for Pride Month.

Looking ahead, I aim to use volumetric capture to recreate the physical and emotional spaces that have caused pain for queer youth, transforming them into immersive virtual environments. This next step will expand the project into a memorial space that honors lost lives and drives meaningful reflection and change.