The annual XR Experience at SXSW showcases a range of innovative installations that blend experimentation with emotional depth. In 2025, one standout project capturing attention is Traces: The Grief Processor, an interactive VR installation designed to engage users on a profound level.
Unlike other large-scale XR installations that focus on visual spectacle, Traces embraces a more intimate atmosphere. This multi-user VR experience invites four participants to enter a space shaped by the emotional echoes of those who came before them.
Traces offers a unique way to engage with personal grief, providing a creative outlet for individuals to explore their emotions without replacing traditional therapeutic methods.
From the outset, Traces encourages participants to personalize their journey by sharing a photo that evokes their feelings of loss, be it from a cherished relationship or a fleeting moment in time. Participants also contribute a short phrase meant to comfort themselves amid these emotions.
These contributions become integral to Traces, enhancing the experience by layering the thoughts and feelings of previous users. As the creator shares, “During the pandemic, as I grappled with profound grief, I found myself yearning for connection, yet unsure how to express my sorrow.”
While Traces is not intended for processing recent losses — with a recommendation against using images of recently deceased loved ones — many participants found themselves emotionally touched. An attendee expressed gratitude to the creators following the immersive session.
Even those without recent losses can find resonance within the experience. Reflecting on a personal moment, one participant contributed a photo of their pet, feeling guilt for leaving him behind to attend the festival.
Others shared images from nostalgic vacations or earlier stages of life, illustrating that grief transcends the loss of people; it encompasses places, memories, and versions of ourselves that have changed over time. As the creator articulates, grief extends beyond death and touches on the inevitable changes life brings.
The journey through Traces is guided by its creator and a long-time collaborator, adding a personal touch to the immersive experience. The installation manages to create a rare blend of intimacy and depth that stands out at SXSW.
Without revealing too much about the experience, Traces offers participants a reflective and unexpectedly touching exploration of personal grief, promising insights about oneself and leaving a lasting impression.
