Voyage of Discovery
“Jesus died for somebody’s sins, but not mine.”
A quest for answers through games, gourmets, and yacht adventures
What if we all have both a bright and a dark side?
What if, in the end, most of us are neither welcomed into heaven nor accepted by hell?
What if we all grapple with conflicts, confusion, or mediocrity?
Is it okay to... just be?
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Time: October 2023
Event Duration: 4 hours
Event type: College event, Halloween party
My role: Event planner, experience designer
Halloween traces back to ancient Celtic traditions where costumes and ghostly parades warded off evil as winter approached. Over centuries, this evolved into a day of confronting and embracing our own 'sins', a concept continually redefined by culture and history.
One of the most iconic symbols of Halloween is the Jack O' Lantern, stemming from the eerie tale of Stingy Jack. Legend has it that Jack managed to trap the devil. Stranded, the devil was forced to make a deal with Jack, promising not to claim his soul for Hell in exchange for freedom. However, when Jack died, neither heaven nor hell would accept him. Too deceitful for heaven and too cunning for hell, he was condemned to wander the earth, and the Devil mockingly threw Jack a burning coal from the fires of Hell to light his way through the darkness.
This tale inspired my design, exploring the idea that many of us exist in a moral grey area, neither fully righteous nor wholly wicked. What if most of us are destined to wander between good and evil? Our event embraces this journey, encouraging guests to explore and accept the complexity of their natures.
Backstory & Inspiration
Ambiance
Mysterious, bizarre, bewildering, but powerful, calm, ruminative and inspired, like a foggy, humid forest soaked in the blanc, mellow sunlight
Prelude - Gate of Devil
Guests are invited to the Gate of Devil and are greeted by the Dark Angel. They will be asked to confess their sins, which will also be recorded (just kidding).
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The prelude is designed to welcome the guests and help them get into their characters with an immersive experience, preparing them for the following story.
Chapter I - Voyage of Discovery
Under the guidance of the Dark Angel, guests will board the Voyage of Discovery, which will sail the River Styx and take the wandering souls to the other side in the search of one’s true soul.
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In reality, guests will board the pre-booked yacht and sail the Allegheny River in Pittsburgh, letting go of all the weighted thoughts and burdens that might have previously troubled them while enjoy the breathtaking sunset view of Pittsburgh.
Chapter II - Court of Justice
Here, wandering souls will face the trial from the Court of Justice and will be morally interrogated. Based on their answers, each will be assigned one of the 7 identities. Each identity has a secrete mission to accomplish during the voyage in order to be accepted into the afterworld.
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The purpose of this chapter is for guests to reflect on their past lives, the beliefs and moral standards they hold. Despite the controversies in human, the main idea is to encourage the acceptance of such controversies.
What’s more, the assignment of identities gives guests a goal to achieve, enhancing their engagement in the following events.
Curious what the trial is?
Servant of the Dark Angel
Knight of Freedom
Mysterious Bard
Philanthropic and Saintly God
Conservative Judge
Liberal Judge
Psycho Joker
Chapter III - Sinned Feast
Guests are served with menu and food, whose names resonate with some Halloween cultures or myths, each implying a special topic deeply rooted in the ambiguous controversies and conflicts of beliefs.
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In this chapter, guests are brought together and are invited to explore the menu, which introduces the theme of the night - the eternal existence of controversy in human nature.
Chapter IV - Lantern of Soul
At the end of the journey, it’s time to carve and light up the Jack O’ Lantern together, and float it in the river. Guests will place their deepest sins, if any, and most sacred wishes in the lantern, releasing them to float upon the river. It might keep floating for a while, or it might sink, but either way, the unsettled will be anchored and the longing will set sail.
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The final chapter is the culmination of the event, echoing the backstory of Jack O’ Lantern and the Halloween theme. Although the previous chapters are the questioning of good and evil, the philosophical contemplation is not to judge or confuse, but to reassure people that they are (even more) loved and accepted despite a little beautiful imperfection. As is written on their identity cards, however they choose to deal with their beautiful imperfection, whatever happens is for the best one way or another, just like the lanterns - the sunken will be anchored and the floating will sail in light.
No Exit 2.0
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