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Narrowing My Word

oliviasessums — 2024-09-03 15:52:35 UTC

I began with the concept of sentimentality and memory, using childhood songs to evoke that feeling. But to find that one word that would encapsulate my entire project, I found that the core idea I gravitated towards was sentimentality and how it impacts us. Sentimentality forces us to hold onto the material and the immaterial to preserve the past. Does it come from an aversion to change?

a) Sentimentality.

It's the single word I pick, and choose to explore, not just in a general context but specifically to my experience moving on from childhood to adulthood and holding onto memory, sound, and experience.

b) Sentimentality (immaterial)

Choosing a second word, I would select:

c) Loss (abstract)

oliviasessums — 2024-09-09 18:23:31 UTC

My recent thoughts have revolved around the form of my project. I've been attracted to web-like structures, constructed in an untangle-able way that are chaotic. Using crochet as a medium for that would be interesting, partly because items that are handmade can be closely associated with childhood (knitted sweaters, socks, mittens), but also because crochet traditionally follows a pattern and I would want to see where endlessly producing takes me.

Think about: Ernesto Neto, Chiharu Shiota

Ten Questions

oliviasessums — 2024-09-10 14:50:36 UTC

Memory

Crochet

How can crochet be used as a tool to recall memory? How will free-crocheting help me connect to memory?

Contextualized:

What is “free crochet”?
What attracts me to crochet as a medium?
What types of yarn are available to me and are best to use?
How might crochet affect my exploration of memory?
How have artists used fiber/crochet in their pieces?
How have artists explored memory in their work and what drew them to that exploration?
Why am I interested in memory and how can I become more specific?
What is the relationship between crochet/knitted goods and childhood/infancy?
How do artists connect audiences with memory?
How do other artists manifest an abstract concept (memory) in the physical?

Studio:

How can I explore crochet at scale?
What materials can I incorporate into my crochet work?
How does yarn type influence the appearance of a crochet work?
What colors do I want to use, if using more than one?
How will color influence this work/be influenced by this work?
Explore how sound influences crocheting.
How will my senses influence the work?
How do I incorporate abstractness into a physical work?
In what ways can I capture emotion/sentimentality/remembrance in a physical piece?
Break the geometry of crocheting a pattern.