In my memory jar, I have included several aspects of my personality, memories, thoughts, and ideas. Inside, I have filled it with objects from my past including a keychain from my childhood best friend, a plane ticket to NYC, and other trinkets I’ve collected over the first few weeks of college. On the surface of the jar, I included stickers of photographs from my travels, some of which include a photo of palm trees in Mexico, and a chicken from my trip to the Dominican Republic. The lid of the jar is constructed from mainly foam board that I’ve cut into various sizes and stacked on top of one another. Sitting upon this stack of foam core is a miniature rabbit. This rabbit is inspired by Alice in Wonderland, a childhood favourite. Taking further inspiration from Alice in Wonderland, I embellished the lid with different colours and designs. Around the jar, I’ve created several abstract paper frames to draw focus to various areas of the jar. I used different coloured paper and cardboard from past art projects. Then, using cardboard and excess plexiglass, I constructed a platform in which the jar could sit. I’ve taken the idea of recording information onto rubber bands and wrapped some of them around the frames. In addition, in an act of quick mark making, I’ve doodled images and symbols onto sticky notes and adhered them to the surface of the jar and the cardboard platform. Finally, I’ve included images and objects from nature (flowers, grass, the sun) to remind me of the outdoors as I find peace and calm in nature. Looking at these objects and photos evoke joyful memories and put me as ease. The finished memory jar acts as a method of commemoration, as well as a reminder of events from my past, stemming from early childhood to the present day.
A video of the completed memory jar:
