Longing for a Place That Doesn't Exist
Location
FA-255
Department
Art + Design
Abstract
A memory object is defined as a meaningful object that calls up memories. A memory practice is defined as a custom that people practice regularly for recalling memories. This begs the question, how do we recall memories without the objects that trigger them? In this presentation I will analyze my relationship with personal artifacts from my past and how this has shaped my worldview, and thus, my sense of self. For my senior project, I created a memory book that contains familial photographs, collages, and certain imagery that evokes memories to me. To coincide with the memory book, I embarked upon the creation of a shadow box collage adorned with an assortment of objects chosen for their mnemonic potency. The objects will be complemented by photorealistic renditions of objects inaccessible to me—either due to their absence from my possession or as relics of another individual's past, yet intrinsically linked to my formative experiences and familial upbringing. This project is quite important to me, because it is allowing me to process a lot of emotions and memories that I haven’t explored in the past. Moreover, it affords me the opportunity to effectively conclude a significant chapter of my life journey, thereby facilitating a seamless transition into the subsequent phase of post-graduation life. In conclusion, the exploration of memory objects and practices underscores the intrinsic connection between tangible artifacts and the intangible realm of memory. As we contemplate the nature of memory, it becomes evident that objects serve as indispensable anchors, enmeshed within the fabric of our recollections. Through the meticulous curation of personal artifacts, I have delved into the depths of my own psyche, unraveling the threads of my past experience and familial heritage. The creation of the memory book and shadow box collage has not only allowed me to confront dormant emotions and memories but has also provided a tangible means of encapsulating and preserving them.
Faculty Sponsor
Izze Norman
Longing for a Place That Doesn't Exist
FA-255
A memory object is defined as a meaningful object that calls up memories. A memory practice is defined as a custom that people practice regularly for recalling memories. This begs the question, how do we recall memories without the objects that trigger them? In this presentation I will analyze my relationship with personal artifacts from my past and how this has shaped my worldview, and thus, my sense of self. For my senior project, I created a memory book that contains familial photographs, collages, and certain imagery that evokes memories to me. To coincide with the memory book, I embarked upon the creation of a shadow box collage adorned with an assortment of objects chosen for their mnemonic potency. The objects will be complemented by photorealistic renditions of objects inaccessible to me—either due to their absence from my possession or as relics of another individual's past, yet intrinsically linked to my formative experiences and familial upbringing. This project is quite important to me, because it is allowing me to process a lot of emotions and memories that I haven’t explored in the past. Moreover, it affords me the opportunity to effectively conclude a significant chapter of my life journey, thereby facilitating a seamless transition into the subsequent phase of post-graduation life. In conclusion, the exploration of memory objects and practices underscores the intrinsic connection between tangible artifacts and the intangible realm of memory. As we contemplate the nature of memory, it becomes evident that objects serve as indispensable anchors, enmeshed within the fabric of our recollections. Through the meticulous curation of personal artifacts, I have delved into the depths of my own psyche, unraveling the threads of my past experience and familial heritage. The creation of the memory book and shadow box collage has not only allowed me to confront dormant emotions and memories but has also provided a tangible means of encapsulating and preserving them.