Home: a poetic inquiry by Francesca Ngo

francescagngo — 2024-10-11 17:54:21 UTC

francescagngo — 2024-10-11 17:54:32 UTC

francescagngo — 2024-10-11 17:55:14 UTC

On my bed are Marie from The Aristocats and Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh. Marie is poised with elegance, her pink bow a signature of her sass and self-assurance. She embodies a balance of cuteness and confidence, encouraging me to embrace both my sweet and bold sides. As a kid one of my favorite picture books was about Marie going around Paris, and this stuffie reminds me of that well-loved corner of my childhood. Meanwhile, the Eeyore stuffed toy stands as a comforting figure of quiet resilience. His downcast demeanor, yet ever-loyal nature, serves as a reminder that it’s okay to have low moments, but those don’t define your worth. Both plushies are soft and cuddly, and as I notice how well-loved they are, they harken back to my caring nature and love for comforting objects.

francescagngo — 2024-10-11 17:57:20 UTC

This mug, featuring the Bitmojis of me and my best friend, is a playful emblem of our friendship. The handle's cracked now from all the times I used it, so now it serves as a decoration. I cherish all my friends, but this one in particular is the only one who can make me cry just by thinking about her. We vowed to make our Bitmojis look ridiculous back in high school, and our complimentary twinning-ness serves as a symbol of our bond. This mug, which she has a matching one of, reminds of the countless conversations, laughter, and moments we've shared.

francescagngo — 2024-10-11 17:58:23 UTC

I used to be a Hello Kitty girl (I had a serious case of main character syndrome growing up) but I've started to shift into more of a My Melody lover - you gotta adore the pink! The My Melody figurine, which I got from a blind box in the summer of 2023, exudes a sense of calm and sweetness. Her soft pink hue and gentle expression create a feeling of innocence and joy, serving as a reminder of the charm and simplicity that childhood characters can bring to life. This figurine reminds me of the time I got it, of picking berries with friends in July. She was the "Wisteria Dreaming" model, which also reminds me of a Taylor Swift song called "the lakes" where she sings "I want to watch wisteria grow right over my bare feet / 'Cause I haven't moved in years".

francescagngo — 2024-10-11 21:21:49 UTC

This Starbucks cup, marked with “Franc(h)esca Taylor” during the Taylor Swift drink promotion in 2021, is a playful convergence of pop culture and personal identity. It captures a moment of fun, where my name and a global phenomenon briefly intersected. It’s a small but humorous reminder of how easily we can get swept up in trends, yet also find personal meaning in the shared experiences they create. Its worn edges and sun-faded nature are poetic to me, because it shows how I've kept a relic from first year that I've drinken out of just for the novelty of the trend and the fact that the barista had such good humour to give me Taylor as a second name.

my guitar

francescagngo — 2024-10-11 21:22:08 UTC

My guitar is more than an instrument—it’s a second voice. My primary songwriting confidante, it gives form to thoughts I can't always articulate with words alone. The guitar's strings feel like threads that weave together moments of joy, longing, and introspection. Each song, whether original or a cover, is a reflection of a chapter in my life, translating feeling into sound.

francescagngo — 2024-10-11 21:22:36 UTC

These whimsical figurines, crafted from polymer clay with my friend, embody the joy of creativity and collaboration. My friend loves spooky season, so she made a Halloween cat, and I tried to make a bunny that she said looked endearingly like knuffle bunny. The process of molding the clay was as significant as the final products themselves; it was a playful exploration of our artistic instincts, a tangible reminder of the joy found in shared creativity. Hardened with age and slightly sun-faded, with dust tucked into the crevices, each figurine captures a fleeting moment in time, inviting me to reflect on the laughter and connection we fostered during that creative evening.

francescagngo — 2024-10-11 21:24:22 UTC

Nobody harass me about my dead succulent please ;-; Even in its lifeless state, the succulent holds meaning. It was a Secret Santa gift a couple years ago from my a cappella group, whose accent color is red just like the vase. On a more poetic level, the succulent speaks to fragility and impermanence, a reminder that not all things thrive, and that’s part of the process. Its presence adds an element of vulnerability to the collection, a visual metaphor for resilience and loss.

francescagngo — 2024-10-11 21:24:39 UTC

The matching patterns on the figurine and pitcher create a visual harmony, representing a sense of balance and comfort in my space. They bring a playful energy, a reminder of the beauty in small, unexpected pairings. I actually painted the cat at a pottery studio in Vancouver with a friend, which makes it hold extra special significance as it speaks to my love of art!

francescagngo — 2024-10-11 21:25:11 UTC

The bracelet I swapped with a fellow Swiftie at a Taylor Swift concert is a vibrant symbol of shared experiences and community. With "The Lucky One" printed on it, I consider it a lucky bracelet (despite the song reflecting upon a not-so-lucky individual). In that moment, surrounded by music and excitement, we became part of something larger than ourselves—a celebration of artistry and connection. The bracelet, now infused with the energy of that night, serves as a reminder of how swiftly (ha) friendships can be formed through a mutual love for music and culture. It represents the spontaneous joy of live events, the fleeting yet impactful connections that can spark from a shared passion.

francescagngo — 2024-10-11 21:25:43 UTC

This Rapunzel figurine, with her flowing golden hair and curious expression, stands as a symbol of creativity and the desire for freedom. Tangled has been my favorite movie since I saw it in theatres at 7 years old. I got this figurine at the Christmas store in Disneyland CA, and it depicts her and Pascal on a boat during the pivotal "I See the Lights" scene, where she finally achieves her dream of seeing the floating lanterns on her birthday. Her character serves as a personal reminder of the balance between dreaming and daring, inspiring me to embrace curiosity and step into the unknown.

francescagngo — 2024-10-11 21:26:29 UTC

Barbie summer was everything to me, and this keychain symbolizes that sense of playfulness and nostalgia. It’s a miniature piece of a much larger story—the years of imagination, creativity, and carefree fun that Barbie has come to represent. It sits in contrast to the more serious items, adding a sense of whimsy to the collection.

francescagngo — 2024-10-11 21:27:07 UTC

These stones are not just decorations, but pieces of cultural significance. They ground me in the history and artistry of the land I live on, connecting me to the deep traditions of Canadian First Nations. Their presence is a reminder of the layers of history that we walk on every day, often unnoticed.

francescagngo — 2024-10-11 21:27:55 UTC

Admittedly, I do most of my reading on my Kindle. However, this small library represents the beauty of physical books, and is a tangible embodiment of my love for reading. Just as my guitar speaks in sound, my books speak in language. They are portals to other worlds, and their presence in my life is a reminder of how stories and ideas can shift perspectives. Each book is a journey I’ve taken—its worn pages and folded corners reflecting how deeply I’ve engaged with its contents. They inspire my creative writing, filling my imagination with new ways to craft narratives.

francescagngo — 2024-10-11 21:28:39 UTC

Gifted by a friend, these vibrant Christmas-themed nail polishes are small but impactful tokens of our shared celebrations. They come in shades of a pastel pink, a vibrant silver, and multi-colored glitter. I lovingly coin them the Santa Triplets. I never used them because I just wanted to display them and keep a memento of her in my apartment. These little Santas embody the holiday spirit with their festive hats, and it's like Christmas all year round! These polishes are not just accessories; they symbolize the care and thoughtfulness embedded in our friendship, transforming simple acts into cherished memories, as well as my sentimental side of preserving objects (and not using them) just for the sake of keeping them around.

francescagngo — 2024-10-11 21:29:02 UTC

My vinyl collection is like an archive of experiences, each record holding memories from a different time and place. Listening to them is a ritual, the crackling sound as the needle touches the record reconnecting me to something tangible in an increasingly nonstop split-second-attention-span digital world. The vinyl represents a physical connection to music, reminding me that creativity is something that needs patience, attention, and presence.

francescagngo — 2024-10-11 21:29:20 UTC

This stuffed toy is definitely... unique, but it carries a deeper meaning of empowerment and body positivity. Also, it's hilarious and a great conversation starter. She was named Gladys by one of my friends. She serves as a playful reminder to celebrate and normalize conversations around women’s health and the human body. She represents my acceptance of the taboo and my silly sense of humor about being open and sex-positive. I love being a woman!

francescagngo — 2024-10-11 21:29:34 UTC

The Tinker Bell doll captures her mischievous spirit, with a twist on her signature green dress and wings ready to take flight. It's a limited edition collector's doll that I got from Disneyland CA in 2023. I've always resonated with Tinker Bell’s spunky, determined personality. Though small, she has a powerful presence, reminding me that strength comes in many forms, and that a little magic—along with confidence—can go a long way in navigating life’s challenges.

francescagngo — 2024-10-11 21:29:47 UTC

francescagngo — 2024-10-11 21:29:55 UTC

francescagngo — 2024-10-11 21:30:00 UTC

The Clueless poster on my wall is more than just a nod to one of my favorite films—it's a celebration of nostalgia, style, and the quirky charm that the movie embodies. The bright, bold colors and iconic 90s fashion on display capture the essence of the film’s playful take on teen life, relationships, and self-discovery. For me, the poster symbolizes more than just a love for the movie—it reflects a deeper connection to its themes of friendship, reinvention, and navigating the chaos of youth with humor and heart - values that I carry with me throughout my daily life. Looking at this poster, I'm noticing how movies can shape our perceptions of ourselves and the world, offering both a mirror and a lens to view life through a storyteller's perspective.

francescagngo — 2024-10-11 21:30:08 UTC

This birthday card, adorned with a thoughtful message and artistic rendition of Marie from the Aristocats, represents the love and support of friendship. My friend wrote this for me 2 years ago, and it's still dearly treasured, the message inside bringing happiness, shared memories, and inside jokes. The cardstock is weathered and slightly warped by time, but the colors are still vibrant. It’s a testament to the bond we’ve built over time, a reminder that even simple gestures can hold profound significance. This card invites me to reflect on the people who uplift me, encouraging me to cherish the connections that bring joy and meaning to my life.

francescagngo — 2024-10-11 21:30:59 UTC

friendship mementos

francescagngo — 2024-10-11 21:32:10 UTC

I noticed, as I walked around my space, that I keep many obects that relate to or evoke memories of my friends. I keep objects and old letters around purely for sentimental value. This shows that my relationships are valuable, personal, and urgent to me. These mementos carry the weight of memories, each one telling a story of connection, care, and shared experience.

Hobbies

francescagngo — 2024-10-11 21:34:01 UTC

These hobbies, though distinct, share a common thread: they push me to explore beyond the surface, to listen for the unspoken, and to consider alternate ways of understanding. They remind me that creativity can take many forms—whether it's music, literature, or sound—and that the possibilities for self-expression are as endless as the stories we engage with. Together, these objects form a pattern in my life, one that uncovers complexity, invites curiosity, and sparks new possibilities in both my creative and personal journey.

Gallery walls (and fridge)

francescagngo — 2024-10-11 21:35:29 UTC

I'm definitely a maximalist, if it wasn't obvious already! I have gallery walls, collages of posters and pictures of things that mean something to me. They serve as visual archives of my evolving identity. Each framed image, print, or artwork reflects a piece of my journey, capturing fleeting moments of inspiration, memory, and aspiration.

characters

francescagngo — 2024-10-11 21:40:56 UTC

My home is infused with personality - or should I say personalities? These objects are more than decorations—they are companions, memories, and storytellers. Each one holds a fragment of my life, offering comfort and continuity across time. My stuffed animals evoke a sense of safety and nostalgia, acting as reminders of innocence and representing the need for comfort and softness in a world that often demands toughness. I also keep embodiments of well-worn stories I love, representing a different phase of my imagination, from childhood dreams of adventure to adult reflections on identity. These toys connect to the way I once shaped narratives without words, through movement and imagination. Now, they remain a reminder that creating stories was once as simple as moving pieces in a game, and they push me to rekindle that effortless play in my creative work.

Objects in conversation

francescagngo — 2024-10-11 22:14:55 UTC

At first, these objects seem unrelated, scattered fragments of different places, times, and moods. But together, they form a mosaic of personal significance, each carrying a unique story that ties into the larger narrative of my life. I used to think I wasn't much of a collector, but after observing these artifacts in my space, I realized I like to showcase items that spark my personality.

Home: A Poetic Inquiry

francescagngo — 2024-10-11 22:15:43 UTC

This project is an exploration of the personal, poetic, and emotional significance of everyday objects in my home. Through the lens of poetic inquiry, I aim to uncover the hidden stories, memories, and connections that these items hold, transforming them from mundane belongings into meaningful artifacts. By examining each object closely—whether it’s a handcrafted figurine, a concert bracelet, or a birthday card from a friend—I reflect on how they collectively shape my identity, relationships, and experiences. This archive of mementos, woven together in a Padlet mind map, invites a deeper consideration of the patterns and correlations between them. Through this process of reflection, I delve into questions of memory, creativity, and connection, uncovering the poetic resonance within the ordinary. This inquiry allows me to go beyond surface-level appreciation, asking what these objects reveal about the way I navigate life and the world around me.

francescagngo — 2024-10-14 16:07:40 UTC

These mementos from my high school Battle of the Bands carry the energy of youthful ambition and camaraderie. From a performer's lanyard to a celebratory winning patch, each item encapsulates the excitement and nerves of performing on stage, the thrill of cheering for friends, and the shared dreams of musical glory. They remind me not only of friendship but also of my passion for music, serving as reminders of the vibrant community we built through this love, where each performance was a celebration of talent and creativity. These objects evoke a sense of nostalgia, reflecting the formative experiences that shaped my artistic identity. The lanyard I kept from my 11th grade onstage performance, and the patch was gifted from a friend whose music video I edited during quarantine for a virtual BOB.