'Inner Portrait' by Refik Anadol

'Inner Portrait' by Refik Anadol, 2024 - documentary screen capture.

As I settled into my seat on the long flight to South Africa, I found myself anticipating the journey ahead. I was on my way to visit my partner's home, a place that has become familiar yet still holds the excitement of discovery and adventure. The gentle white noise of conversation in multiple languages filled the cabin, a reminder of how travel brings together people from vastly different backgrounds. Somewhere over the expanse of the African continent, I scrolled through the in-flight entertainment and came across 'Inner Portrait', a documentary that beautifully captures the essence of human connection.

A collaboration between Turkish Airlines and renowned media artist, Refik Anadol, 'Inner Portrait' offers a profound exploration of our shared human experience. Anadol explains that when we travel we see the world and ourselves differently, and he asks the question, 'can we quantify emotions?' The documentary follows four individuals from different corners of the globe as they embark on their first journey abroad, and captures their emotional responses to travel through cutting edge technology. Beyond the data and digital interpretations of their experiences, 'Inner Portrait' tells a deeply empathetic story, one of connection, understanding, and the universal language of being.

Before and after the particpants' respective trips, advanced bio-sensing technologies recorded real-time physiological responses, including brain activity, heart rates and skin conductivity. Anadol and his team then converted this data into immersive digital artworks that reflect the participants' personal transformations through their experiences abroad. The result is a breathtaking digital visualisation of the emotions that were felt. The vibrant display of shifting colours, forms and patterns reflect how deeply our surroundings have an impact on us, from the quiet contemplation of a familiar homescape, to the awestruck feeling of seeing a new country for the first time.

'Inner Portrait' by Refik Anadol, 2024 - documentary screen capture.

One of the most thought provoking themes of the documentary is how we find ways to connect with eachother beyond the spoken word. As Esther from Kenya reflects, "The people are amazing even if they are saying 'hello' in a language I don't understand. There are several other ways to communicate other than just the language." Her words echo an experience familar to many travelers, something as simple as the warmth of a smile, a gesture that transcends linguistic barriers can be enough to bring comfort in unfamiliar territories.

Sigurbjörn from Iceland had a similar moment of realisation while sitting around a fire with locals in Jordan; "Sitting there by the fire, drinking coffee and tea, laughing, didn't understand a word they were saying. Finding a connection between people doesn't need a language." His experience highlights how human bonds are often formed not through words, but through presence and mutual appreciation.

Tuikuru from Brazil also describes an interaction where language was no obstacle; "When we were talking, he spoke his language and I spoke mine. Something made us understand eachother." In these moments, Inner Portrait challenges the notion that understanding requires verbal communication. Instead, it reveals that connection is something we feel, something innate within us.

'Inner Portrait' by Refik Anadol, 2024 - documentary screen capture.

At its core, Inner Portrait is an exploration of how travel has the capacity to alter our outlook, not only of our external worlds, but also our inner landscapes. It highlights that these adventures are about more than seeing new places, but more so about meeting people and expanding our understanding of what it means to share this world together.

The documentary beautifully illustrates how we can build bridges with one another through these shared experiences, even if words fail us. In an era where digital communication often replaces in person interaction, Inner Portrait serves as an important reminder of the importance of genuine human connection. It highlights that we are all part of the same story, despite our differences, a story of curiosity, discovery and the fundamental need to be seen and understood.