Memory is the fourth dimension to any landscape. – Janet Fitch
As I’ve been researching this piece, I’ve come to learn all of the types of memory that are in play. We are dealing personal memory (which is broken down even further examples are in Blog #1) the sociological collective memory and the external memories people create using symbol recognition.
I am inclined to imagine my own memory as cavernous attic with boxes stacked high, and photos spilling over to intermix with dusty newspapers. Think of the object that you keep as mementos of times gone by. As I scan my apartment from my seat here at the computer I realize nearly everything on display is a physical reminder of the past.
Instead of having to hold every past experience inside my head I am able attach my memory to an object.
The 5 categories of external memory that this piece is going to address will be:
I narrowed these down from a list much longer, but the din of nostalgia that each of these can produce shall undoubtedly suffice.
I leave you with a small challenge. Go open an old diary or listen to song associated with fond memories. It might dislodge a memory from deep inside the cavernous attic. Be careful though. There could be bats…
As I’ve been researching this piece, I’ve come to learn all of the types of memory that are in play. We are dealing personal memory (which is broken down even further examples are in Blog #1) the sociological collective memory and the external memories people create using symbol recognition.
I am inclined to imagine my own memory as cavernous attic with boxes stacked high, and photos spilling over to intermix with dusty newspapers. Think of the object that you keep as mementos of times gone by. As I scan my apartment from my seat here at the computer I realize nearly everything on display is a physical reminder of the past.
Instead of having to hold every past experience inside my head I am able attach my memory to an object.
The 5 categories of external memory that this piece is going to address will be:
- Writing/Diaries – I think there is a reason they are private.
- Photographs – Allowing people to see into the past since the past.
- Sounds/Music – The flood of emotions when Ja Rule & J. Lo come on the radio.
- Talismans, Trinkets & Souvenirs – Oh this? I got it in Paris.
- Home Movies – The 80s hair is even worse in motion.
I narrowed these down from a list much longer, but the din of nostalgia that each of these can produce shall undoubtedly suffice.
I leave you with a small challenge. Go open an old diary or listen to song associated with fond memories. It might dislodge a memory from deep inside the cavernous attic. Be careful though. There could be bats…
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