Memories are simply things remembered from the past. The mind can store this type of information and it can be used for things like learning and brain development. This is a theme where I could attempt to recreate my own memories in the forms of photos and also feature some of my own personally sentimental objects as well. Other focuses regarding memories and nostalgia could be comparisons between old and new and even experiences or ideas around life and death.
Artist Research- David Szauder
David Szauder is a Hungarian digital artist based in Berlin. He created the ‘Failed Memory’ series where he explores the imperfections of human memory by distorting old photographs. The series points out the similarities between human memory and computer memory, proposing that our memories can become altered over time, close to how digital files might be corrupted or glitched. The way his images are edited reflect on how memories can be both lost and replaced with self-generated fragments.
Artist Research- Tony Luciani
Tony Luciani, based in Durham, near Toronto, Canada, is a multi-award-winning artist, known for his paintings and photography. In 2014, he started a photography series focusing on his elderly mother, Elia, who was struggling with dementia. The project titled ‘MAMMA In the Meantime’ captures the bond between Luciani and his mother, as well as the challenges of her declining memory. The series gained international recognition, being featured in various exhibitions and has even been accepted into the collection of the Canadian Alzheimer Society with his work being represented by Loch Gallery in Toronto, Winnipeg and Calgary.
Theme Development Potential
This is a concept where I could bring attention to how our memories shape our identity. They have the power to influence our thoughts, ideas and overall, who we are and what we stand for as individuals, while we grow up and gain new experiences throughout our lives. I would also like to experiment with distortion either in camera or in post processing to mimic what memories actually feel and look like in the mind- like in David Szauder’s work. Additionally, featuring my own sentimental possessions and even family members in my photos could work well with this theme by making my work a little more personal to myself.
Memories Moodboard
These are some photos which visualise what I have in mind for this sort of theme. Memories can slowly disappear, be comforting and even be so bad that they haunt people. PTSD is another subject I could maybe focus on if I were to chose this theme.