The Living Archive: From Storing Gas to Storing Memories Part 1 Project 2024 Jessica Biddle Loughborough University | UK The current landscape of dementia research presents a significant challenge, often placing patients in disorienting environments for the sake of progress. This issue extends beyond scientific advancement, touching on deeply personal and ethical concerns. The potential distress for patients highlights the urgency and necessity of our proposed project.Our vision diverges boldly from traditional approaches. We propose a community space where research transcends conventional boundaries, integrating intergenerational dialogue and serendipitous encounters. This space fosters not only scientific discovery but also the sharing of stories, history, and identity, thereby enhancing the transformative potential of our proposal.This performance symbolizes a ritualistic pathway to our inner selves, silently expressing our beliefs, preferences, and identities. Observing this act offers insights into community interactions, self-definition, and memory formation.Our community research space is a sanctuary where creation intertwines with human connection. It is a place where the serendipity of creation leads to a deeper understanding of humanity and the complexities of dementia care. This innovative approach promises to transform not only the landscape of dementia research but also the way we connect, remember, and care for one another. Jessica Biddle Tutor(s) Benjamin Machin