My assignment for my third research paper is a comparative analysis of two texts (my choice!). Well, I've been reading a lot of books this semester, and stewing over artists I haven't been as inspired as I was last semester. Until now....
A few weeks ago I finished a book on memory in culture. It was a very interesting book dealing with sociological habits and behaviors revolving around the concept of collective memory. There were some vague references to art in the text, and when I finished reading it I figured I would not revisit it. Now that I have to figure out what I want my third paper to be about I have really been thinking about all the books I've been reading. I came to the realization that the book on memory in culture really is inspiring my work. One of the big directions I see a lot of art follow deals with nostalgia. Nostalgia is great in its own way, but I really don't want to talk about nostalgia. The items I am working with, ribbons of merit, don't really bring up warm fuzzy memories and make me want to tell stories that start with, "I remember when..." So what kind of memory am I dealing with?
I'm afraid of being forgotten. Not just me being forgotten, but the great achievements of the many women I have served with, and those who served before. I went to this great conference in Washington DC a few years ago where I got to meet some women who served in World War II and Vietnam. They were amazing women who did their jobs but never really were recognized. They still held their heads high though, and you could see the shine of pride in their eyes for all the young women currently serving. It's the passing of these events into the vaporous abyss that is the past I want to prevent. I want to create something solid that commemorates this historical passage. So that's why I'm making these shadow boxes, and detailed minimalist paintings.
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