”After belonging” - Objects that contain embedded memory.
The 13 exhibits range from a child's dinner plate and the imaginary world of images that the plates' decoration opens for its owner, to an old writing case owned by a 90 year old man. The 90 year old now uses a Facebook profile to communicate with his family and friends. The valuable memories that the writing case holds have been replace by a virtual internet social media connection. Both have their place and value in the life of the owner.
“There are no pockets in a shroud” as the old expression goes. We cannot take the things we own with us when we die, but our memories live on through others. The student brief was to interview old people as the intention was to include the idea of transit towards death within the idea of leaving behind. In this way the exhibition makes the point that we are all in transit – at some point there will only be the memory often carried by the objects that we have owned.
The exhibition also draws attention to the need to create and understand the value of long term relationships to the objects that we own in a society in which the pace and volume of consumption is undermining our basis for existence.
The objects are portrayed as a vessel for the memories they carry for the owner. They create a connection between past, present and future. This memory that the object carries for its owner gives the object a value that can be passed between cultures. The objects tell the unique and personal stories of their owners and these stories can be passed on through generations. Memories can be carried in the things that we own – we can talk about “embedded memory”
Opening night is Thursday September 8th 17:00-20:00.
The exhibition will be open for all the following days at the following times:
September 9. - 13.: 12:00-17:00
September 14. - 15.: 12:00-20:00
September 16. - 18.: 12:00-17:00
Venue: Baptistkirken, Hausmannsgate 22, 0182 Oslo