To create my memory artifact I first thought of how we keep our memories, not literally in the brain, but external from the body. For example, almost everyone I know has a memory box of some description; where they keep letters, cards, train tickets and souvenirs of a special day, moment or loved ones. I wanted to concentrate on how we try to preserve memories externally and why. Can we not rely on our brain to keep our precious memories safe? Of course there are diseases that limit brain power and activity, as shown in “Malcolm and Barbara, Love’s Farewell” (Paul Watson) ITV1 2007, where Alzheimer’s sufferer, Malcolm is documented as his health declines. This caused me to think about how one can control ones mind, to have power over the subconscious. To explore this idea further, I watched “EternalSunshine of the Spotless Mind” (Michael Gondry) 2004, the moral of the story is to leave your natural memories alone, the mind is a dangerous thing to tamper with. I have no memories I would like removed, however, having access to the subconscious could unlock a higher state of intelligence. Humans only use a small percentage of their brain power; imagine what the mind is capable of if it could be controlled by the self?
My second plan was to create juxtaposing images of the same memory, as if from two points of view because a photograph can hold an array of meanings for each individual. I imagined a couple with opposing emotions about a particular memory. I would show this through reproduce the same image of the couple with different lighting and expressions; however, I found my ideas very limited within this concept.
I also looked at Stephen King’s “Dream Catcher” (Laurence Kasdan) 2003 as research for this artifact, because it shows an interpretation of memory storage in the brain. The organization of ones memories is random, for example if you think of a particular person; you may remember the last time you saw them, which may lead on to something else you remember from that moment. I do not believe you are in control of your memories or they relationships they have with one another.
Using a moldable wool material, and spray paints I have attempted to recreate the image of how my memories are stored. Firstly, I tore strands and holes in the material to create texture and as an illustration of synapses in the brain. I sprayed the white sheet of wool silver, as an obvious representation of ‘grey matter’; next I sprayed a midnight blue and lilac in lines and spikes to demonstrate brain activity. I chose purple because it is a mysterious colour and it is a good way to signify my subconscious mind.
I will attach photographs of memories and things from my memory box and photograph myself from a high angle reaching towards the direction of my memories. The re-creation of my brain as it were, will have several tentacles trailing from it, some of which will be attached to me, the others that I cannot reach are broken or dead, this is a visual interpretation of Freud’s repressed memory theory.
