It wasn't diffcult to alter him but I really did bring back the emotions I once felt when I found out my dad was leaving and when he found out he was going to stay. I'm not going to lie, when I was painting him I found myself crying a little and really realizing how blessed I am to still have my Dad in my life and being able to continue to grow and live my life with him.
It was difficult only because I'm so terrified of losing memories of my Grandmother; that's the reason I create art about her. So, I guess, I was afraid of losing a piece of her by changing it. At the same time, altering the object ended up bringing it closer to me and made it more personal.
My memories were so tied to the SCENT of the object that altering it felt superficial. I put some flowers because she loved to sew patterns like it...but I honestly only changed it to satisfy requirements. I feel like the smell is the only information the recipient needs. I did not put the scent in a plain bottle (to make the scent the emphasis) because the current bottle shape is like those she used to keep. She liked Avon products.
If I could alter it in the way I wanted- outside of earthly boundaries... I would have it as a free floating scent that could be "contained" in invisible boundaries. Like this, you could "hang" or "float" it over pillows or in doorways...or maybe in a pocket so that when I reach in to get my phone or a quarter I get a hint of the scent...just a brief reminder of my memories. That is how I would have wanted to alter it.
Altering the object -in real life- was not difficult - I went minimal. I did not feel emotion because of my physically changing the object... but while I was in close proximity, I could SMELL it. The smell made me emote. It made me feel like I really want her in my life...so maybe "longing"?
It was a little difficult for me to alter my object. I felt that it was more "pure" in its found form, and that altering it would somehow take away from that, as it wouldn't be the exact object I had as a kid anymore. But now the person I traded it with will be reminded of its significance by the way I put my "mark" on it, and she will recall the specific intentions I had for that object.
To be honest, I loved the way it looked before doing anything to it. That's the reason I always chose that vase in the first place. I just wanted to leave it the way it was because of the connection to my childhood that it already had. Adding to it kind of created a disconnect in a way until I realized that the gold I added to it actually connected me to it further because that was my favorite color as a child. Also, the texture and mess of the sand added a further connection. I am and have always been a "mess," leaving a trail wherever a go. So ultimately, yes, it was difficult the alter but it made me have a deeper connection with the object. I felt extremely sentimental during the whole process and at times even connected with memories I would have rather stayed buried.
It wasn't diffcult to alter him but I really did bring back the emotions I once felt when I found out my dad was leaving and when he found out he was going to stay. I'm not going to lie, when I was painting him I found myself crying a little and really realizing how blessed I am to still have my Dad in my life and being able to continue to grow and live my life with him.
ReplyDeleteIt was difficult only because I'm so terrified of losing memories of my Grandmother; that's the reason I create art about her. So, I guess, I was afraid of losing a piece of her by changing it. At the same time, altering the object ended up bringing it closer to me and made it more personal.
ReplyDeleteMy memories were so tied to the SCENT of the object that altering it felt superficial. I put some flowers because she loved to sew patterns like it...but I honestly only changed it to satisfy requirements. I feel like the smell is the only information the recipient needs.
ReplyDeleteI did not put the scent in a plain bottle (to make the scent the emphasis) because the current bottle shape is like those she used to keep. She liked Avon products.
If I could alter it in the way I wanted- outside of earthly boundaries... I would have it as a free floating scent that could be "contained" in invisible boundaries. Like this, you could "hang" or "float" it over pillows or in doorways...or maybe in a pocket so that when I reach in to get my phone or a quarter I get a hint of the scent...just a brief reminder of my memories. That is how I would have wanted to alter it.
Altering the object -in real life- was not difficult - I went minimal. I did not feel emotion because of my physically changing the object... but while I was in close proximity, I could SMELL it. The smell made me emote. It made me feel like I really want her in my life...so maybe "longing"?
It was a little difficult for me to alter my object. I felt that it was more "pure" in its found form, and that altering it would somehow take away from that, as it wouldn't be the exact object I had as a kid anymore. But now the person I traded it with will be reminded of its significance by the way I put my "mark" on it, and she will recall the specific intentions I had for that object.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, I loved the way it looked before doing anything to it. That's the reason I always chose that vase in the first place. I just wanted to leave it the way it was because of the connection to my childhood that it already had. Adding to it kind of created a disconnect in a way until I realized that the gold I added to it actually connected me to it further because that was my favorite color as a child. Also, the texture and mess of the sand added a further connection. I am and have always been a "mess," leaving a trail wherever a go. So ultimately, yes, it was difficult the alter but it made me have a deeper connection with the object. I felt extremely sentimental during the whole process and at times even connected with memories I would have rather stayed buried.
ReplyDelete