The Words That Did Not Get Spoken (TWTDNGS)

The Words That Did Not Get Spoken (TWTDNGS) is a multi-format media project (in-person interviews, a community map, and an animation series) that I have continued to develop over the years. More than an artistic creation, TWTDNGS is a call to action.

As someone who has often felt resistant to speaking up, continuing this project has also been a way for me to free myself. The project seeks to inspire empathy, foster dialogue, and empower the UMich community to break cycles of silence.

Part 1: Community Map

At the 2023 U-M Arts Initiative, themed “Arts & Resistance,” I led a group of four creative fellows to map students’ voices from times when they felt afraid to speak up. We interviewed students across campus, listening to their stories of moments when they couldn’t express something deeply meaningful to them.

Whether caused by fear, doubt, or societal pressures, each unspoken word carries weight. With consent, we recorded these experiences and plotted them onto a community map.

At the Riverbank Arts exhibition, we presented these stories on a physical U-M map. Visitors could walk up, read, and reflect on where other students had held back their words. This collective visualization of silence helped open conversations with a wide range of audience members.

Part 2: Animation Series

Building on this foundation, the animation series brings the stories to life through vivid, dynamic visuals.

Each of the three parts (Shadows_TWTDNGS, Shift_TWTDNGS, and Boba_TWTDNGS) highlights a student’s experience. I created animations on Aftereffects, using layered textures, contrasting color palettes, and screen recordings to illustrate the transformative power of voicing what was once unspoken.

I added my own voiceover, along with ambient sounds and piano accompaniment.

The project was featured in the 2024 Student Art Exhibition “Take Care” at the Duderstadt Center Gallery and at Riverbank Arts (U-M Flint).

Shadows_TWTDNGS

“I have a date here and he asked me if I would wanna go down a narrow road to sit at the riverside. He said it was just a five-minute walk but it took much longer to walk down that road. I was a little afraid but still, I did not say no cause I chose to trust him. There were actually a lot of people sitting alongside the river, but I was so scared when I was walking. I do think we should say no whenever we do not feel comfortable.”

—Anonymous participant

Shift_TWTDNGS

“I used to work at Maize, the cafe in the Michigan League. Once, I felt uncomfortable and in pain due to my period. However, our cafe was busy with a lot of students, so it was challenging for me to communicate my situation. Additionally, there was a shortage of staff, making it even more difficult for me to request a break.”

—Anonymous participant


Boba_TWTDNGS

“This happened between me and my previous girlfriend, and it was a situation wherein I put most of the effort into the relationship. Earlier that day, I was doing errands for her, and later we got boba together. I was intending to buy boba for both of us, but she offered to pay. I was happy because it was uncommon. But later she asked if this would pay for the errands I ran for her. This shut me down and I didn’t know what to do. I wanted to be in a good mood and shake it off but I couldn’t. I was mad at her because the only time she wanted to do anything for me was for her self-interest. Reflecting, I wish I could’ve said something at the moment and not had to hide how I felt.”

—Anonymous participant

Part 1

Project Director: Naomi Zheng

Interviews & Editing: Naomi Zheng, Yuchen Wu, Vicky Li, Suha Asadulla, Durrah Azdi

Map & Exhibition Design: Naomi Zheng, Yuchen Wu, Vicky Li

Software: Proxi

Credits

Part 2

Creator: Naomi Zheng

Advisor: Yvette Granata

Software: After Effects, Glitch, Audacity