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I'm now back in Copenhagen, settling back nicely into my other life. It's always a bit jarring, moving between places, but this time I feel more grateful than bittersweet for having both of them. These are a few more of the family photos and ephemera that I scanned while I was home, this time from my dad's side (that's him, in the sideways passport photo). That's my grandmother Elaine, showing off her collection of hats in the smaller photos, and my grandfather Ben at his factory job and with his beloved dog Tippi. The biggest picture is likely my great-grandmother, although we aren't sure. This is another reason I wanted to archive these photographs, so the people and stories aren't lost in another generation. In amongst the old photos and letters was this print, which seemed an appropriate if sombre reminder when looking at glimpses of lives past. It's so interesting to see how the photographic records of ones life show a certain narrative, the things we choose to record and the things we don't. Before we were Instagramming everything, these select photos become such precious documents of frozen time. They also show what's meaningful in life, those little moments of happiness. It's a good reminder to think about how when there are only papers to show for your life, what will be on them. To savour these moments while they are happening and to make your time count. I've been thinking about that a lot these last few weeks, as I've been working on my application projects. Sometimes I struggle with why design (or any art really) matters, in the end. Is it really just all vanity? I also struggle with staying motivated, inspired and focused, getting sucked into the rabbit hole of the internet instead of putting my head down and working. I've made it my goal to lately to get back to the basics - to slow down, to play and to explore. To be a gentlewoman-adventurer.
Great post, love all the old photos! Researching at the Museum last summer made me so much more receptive to my family history, too.
ReplyDeleteAs for the meaning of design, I've been writing about design in my thesis, and it does matter! Especially if design doesn't just mean aesthetics. There's a quotation by theorist John Dewey that I use - he's talking about politics and how we come into contact with public issues, but he illustrates how the design of art, objects, everything, really "can “break through the crust of conventionalized and routine consciousness… Artists have always been the real purveyors of news, for it is not the outward happening itself which is new, but the kindling by it of emotion, perception and appreciation” ..
I think this is a pretty good example of critical design as a thought project:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/fashion-and-beauty/fashion/how-adam-harveys-clothing-can-hide-you-from-big-brother/article8010951/
So it matters! Don't worry! I guess it's up to you want you want to design, though!
Thanks, Danielle!
ReplyDeleteI had no idea you were writing about design and politics - so interesting! And yes, I definitely agree. I think as long as design is done with intention, then it has meaning. And can definitely have a huge impact. Aesthetics has it's place too, of course. I think it's just one of those things that I tend to over think, in my (humble) quest to make a difference.
That is a great quote too. I totally agree about the connection of art/design and emotion.