Pockets of Positivity
Part of "The Tangled Self" by Sadie Young — Denver Art Museum, 2025
Pockets of Positivity are a subtle, interactive element within The Tangled Self, an immersive installation by artist Sadie Young of Spectra Art Space that asks us to reflect on the question: Why is it sometimes easier to see the negative parts of self instead of embracing the positive?
The Tangled Self makes feelings like fear, rage, grief, and shame more approachable. Enormous crocheted monsters represent the overwhelming nature of these feelings, while smaller “pockets of positivity” - inspired by nature - symbolize the harder to find, yet integral aspects of joy, worthiness, and acceptance.
How it Works
These pieces appear as ordinary mirrors—but at the press of a button, words like worthy, loved, and enough are illuminated alongside the users’s reflection, offering a brief but powerful moment of affirmation.
Ryterski Wonders designed and built the mirrors, custom lighting, and electronics for the Pockets of Positivity. Sadie Young’s hand-tufted flowers and crocheted text provide the emotional texture and language that anchor each piece.