1. The concept of the Memorial Made Visual project is to propose an idea for a memorial relating to a specific site in New York City. The memorial can be of any medium, duration, concept, etc. Although the memorial is to be “hypothetically” placed in a spot in New York City, the memorial’s concept is up to you. The memorial can be for oneself, other person, or concept. In order to fully theorize this project, research is to be done in order to complete the proposal. Research will revolve around sources of your choice, but some must be scholarly. There is no limit to how much research you want to do. The memorial project will be visited through the experimentation of materials and through writing.
2. Above is my final proposal text and pictures.
Original location ideas
3. Successes and Failures Studio:
It was difficult coming up with an idea that would serve myself and the general public. Although this memorial’s concept is personal to me, I wanted to step away from things directly relating to me. We learned a lot about the way audiences react to memorials. I think this was extremely beneficial to the class. I was able to use this to guide my research and the general idea of my piece. At first, I didn’t realize just how precise a model would have to be. I ended up having to rebuild my model. Although my first model was a failure, it helped me create something much better. I was able to use my first model as a model for the second. It was very interesting seeing the model and background come together. The project really came to life, and it was so easy to visualize the piece as if it were real.
4. Success and Failure Seminar:
Although I haven’t had the best experience with research in the past, this was the first time I truly felt that my sources aided my studio work. I didn’t feel a strange pressure to find specific sources. I was able to find exactly what I needed to complete the project. It was a bit difficult physically incorporating my research into the piece. Although this wasn’t a requirement, I felt as though I needed to make a connection between the classes. I knew that I wanted writing on my model. I used this opportunity to research beyond “Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe.”
5. Techniques and Style:
I learned to properly cut foam-board. I also learned that pieces can be put together using small pins. I feel as though I can continue this skill set in whatever class may require me to use styrofoam board. In seminar, I learned how to navigate the New School’s library. This will be extremely useful for the rest of my education here. I learned how to weed out unreliable sources, as well as search on other databases through the library.
6. What would you do differently?
If I were to recreate this project, I would like to somehow make the piece more elaborate. My work is usually very minimal, and I usually take pride in that fact, but I felt as though this might have been too minimal. I think I feel this way because it isn’t a piece that is directly personal. I would like to have incorporated my own style into the final piece. I do however like the fact that it is different than my usual style. I would maybe have tried using more materials to create a more complex model.
7. How has your definition of memorial changed?
I came into this project not having much to say about memorials. They are something I never really spent my time wondering about. I had never really thought about the idea of publicly, (or privately) memorializing a concept or something very personal in art. I can now see how vague and expansive the idea of a memorial really is. I will keep this in mind when I am creating work throughout my career. Something doesn’t have to obviously be a memorial to be a memorial.
