Regret

Inspired by the ‘if onlys’ we each carry around with us, I advertised for volunteers to donate their regrets anonymously. The regret had to be spoken aloud, whether I was in the room, or whether it was recorded was not important, only that it was spoken. After they had spoken their regret I asked them to say the words “If only…” it was these that I have collected and used for my piece.

The soundworks create a connection others and ourselves. Most of us believe that our personal regrets are big, heavy and unique. This piece allows us a small window in to the regrets of others, the detail is not spoken, but the if onlys hold the resonance of the regret and its emotional entanglement.

I’m incredibly grateful to all the volunteers for sharing their regrets, and helping me discover that we forgive ourselves more easily for acting badly, while the deepest regrets are often those of inaction.

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