top of page
Experiments in Installation
Final Project
Re-imagining Space: Transforming the Quotidian
Video with Artist Narrative
Artist Statement
My installation is a visual representation of my family and the relationships between people using objects saved over many generations as well as string to show how family members and relationships. Through my work, I want to take time to consider the many antiques and keepsakes that I have been passed down to me and that I choose to save in my own home. While many of the objects are items that remain in storage, rather than on display, I hope that I can arrange them in a way that shows their significance and how they became connected over time. For me personally, walking through this space is like walking in a three-dimensional family tree with struggles and sadness yet so much love, so many memories, and a celebration of life. This installation honors my family and provides a space to reflect on my family values, memories, and the legacies passed on through many generations.
Brainstorming
For my final project I am planning to create my site-specific installation exploring passage of time and family in my study since this room already has two pieces of furniture related to my family (an old pie safe and a church pew from my maternal grandparents church). Originally I had planned to use my family room, but I decided my study was appropriate since it had more furniture tied to my past.
I plan to use string, clips, a dress form from my garage, existing furniture to display antiques that have been passed down in to me in my family. I plan to focus on my side of the family with letters, photos, and items from both my maternal and paternal grandparents.
Items will be arranged in chronological order so that viewers can walk among them, traveling through time and space. I would like to have intersecting strings to show marriages and children growing the family.
Above: Scroll to see my planning pages in my sketchbook and the site of my installation.
Above: Scroll to see some of the historical family letters and objects I plan to use in my installation.
Artists Who Influenced My Work
Marcel Duchamp
Song Dong
Rupprecht Matthies
Final Project Progress Report
After receiving feedback on my project proposal, I have decided to focus on my own personal thoughts and feelings about my family. While I debated adding audio or projected images, I have decided that I will simply share my own narratives and thoughts about the objects within my installation as I walk through and record the work. The strings and objects in my work will represent different people and relationships in my family.
This week I continued to acquire objects from my family that can be used in my work and am currently jotting down some stories and ideas I wish to share about certain family members and how they relate to the historical pieces I have collected.
Draft Artist Statement
My installation is a visual representation of my family and the relationships between people using objects saved over many generations as well as string to show how family members are related. Through my work, I want to take time to consider the many objects that I have been passed down to me and that I choose to save in my own home. While many of the objects are items that remain in storage, rather than on display, I hope that I can arrange them in a way that shows their significance and how they became connected over time. I hope installation honors my family and provides a space to reflect on my family values and the legacy they pass on through many generations.
Final Project Proposal
My final installation project "Transforming the Quotidian" was a valuable learning experience for me as part of the MA in Art Education program. I had never created a large scale installation that transformed an entire room in my house. Planning, budgeting, and making a timeline were important practices that I would apply if I were to create another installation. Overall, I was proud of how my work turned out. Altering a space that focused on my family history was deeply personal and meaningful to me. I found a greater appreciation for genealogy and learned even more about my family's past. I actually discovered from my grandfather's draft records online that he had been previously married and divorced before WWII (and he never even told my dad!). I appreciate the feedback from my peers and professor. If I did this project over, I would try to make it more conceptual by adding strings to show the messiness of life that has affected certain parts of my family, like divorce, alcoholism, and poverty. I would also try to do a better job of story telling. For my first large installation, I am pleased with the results.
Reflection
bottom of page