SAE University College graduate and founder of Creart Digital Media start-up Christel Cherryadi’s exhibition Mirror XR: Shards of Memories is expected to create major buzz in the mental health space when it debuts at Adelaide Fringe 2025 this week.
A recipient of the South Australian Mental Health Commissioner’s Staging Change grant, Mirror XR will premiere at ILA (Immersive Light and Arts) from February 21st to March 23rd, 2025.
Created with a board of advisors that includes researchers, lecturers, clinical psychologists, and creative technology experts, the project is Australia’s first AI-hosted Augmented (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) experience. In Mirror XR, participants interact with the story of a fictional young artist, Nora Leaves, as she struggles with self-doubt and her mental health. The experience encourages participants to help reframe negative thought patterns through interactive storytelling.
“The VR experience is a storyliving experience where the audience interacts with the mindscapes of Nora’s inner world,” Christel said.
“Our VR interactions are designed using gaming psychology. The player helps Nora reframe her perspective; this is called cognitive reframing and restructuring.”
She said it has been designed to help people navigate well-documented mental health struggles in a format they understand and already know.
“We’ve seen a constant rise in anxiety and mental well-being challenges among young people over the past 10 years,” she said.
Mirror XR addresses three main areas of concern for young people: imposter syndrome, reducing social stigma around mental health, and bridging the gap between what people feel comfortable talking about and deeper conversations they may avoid.
2D animator and former SAE University College intern with Creart, Aviv Refaeli, said it’s an important tool to help young people cope with mental health challenges.
“It’s about relatability, showing a character at the same point that so many people find themselves in, and then showing a way through it,” she said.
Christel said she sees the project as a preventive measure that could make a positive impact on the mental wellbeing space for young people. She hopes to expand it to schools across the country.
“People aren’t avoiding help because it’s unavailable, it’s because of stigma and long wait times. Mental health services have a wait time of four to 12 months on average,” she said.
“With our school partnerships, we want to bring digital literacy and emotional well-being education into classrooms.”
The project has already been embraced by educators and young people, featuring at the Adelaide Fringe School Programs and garnering strong support from St Peter’s Girls’ School, which has invited Mirror XR to host a workshop at their Girls in Tech Expo.
SAE University College magic at work
Aviv’s major project for her Bachelor of Animation at SAE University College’s Byron Bay campus, inspired and became the seed story of Mirror XR | Shards of Memories.
“The work placement program at SAE is the most powerful part of the degree in my experience,” Aviv said.
“It actually gets you into the industry; my animation was just work placement, and now it’s in Adelaide Fringe. It’s crazy.”
Christel now has SAE interns working on the project and says they bring a unique skillset to the table, specifically highlighting music production intern from SAE Byron Bay Jesse Noble’s sound design and music production.
“SAE students have a distinct mindset – collaborative, constructive, and willing to explore new things,” she said.
She said her own studies at SAE’s Byron Bay campus, doing a Bachelor of Design, were formative for her career.
“SAE changed my life. I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing without it,” she said.
SAE General Manager Dr Luke McMillan said Creart’s innovative project highlights the importance of integrating technology and creativity in creative media education.
“SAE has always championed the intersection of technology and creativity, recognising that true innovation arises from this synergy,” he said.
“This foundational element has shaped successful graduates like Christel and Aviv for decades and made them exceptionally well-prepared to meet the challenges of the future, as they are demonstrating with this groundbreaking experience.”
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