Jordan Crouch
(she/her/hers)
The Act of Forgetting
Memory has a consciousness of its own; flexible and in constant motion. The mind shifts and changes as some part of us decides what information is deemed worthy of retention and what is non-essential. Social media, the internet, and many other inputs create an environment in which forces a state of constant information consumption. How do we decide what information to hold onto? How do we decide what to forget? When we come across bits of information though the day such as gas prices, names of strangers, or calories in our favorite snack- do we remember? In this contemporary age of information-overflow, it is impossible to hold onto every detail. Every day our minds use memory as a means of protection and normal function.
In The Act of Forgetting, I interoperate this process of information discard. The decision to use lace in this work is intentionally related to the concept at hand. Lace is a dichotomy that exists similarly to memory. Lace is a fabric that elicits nostalgia. Lace is both strong and fragile; able to withstand but requires care in handling. I have incorporated bits of information found throughout the day that are typically forgotten. Even still, while I have collected this information (measurements, names, prices etc.), my mind has still, over time, lost the context of this information. Memories are instrumental in guiding who we are in this world. Memory informs our future in the constant development of our attitudes, perceptions and actions. To be unaware of the functionality of memory is to do a disservice to the self. Be aware of the memories. Accept the memories that created a blueprint for who you are and understand that so much of our day will fly away while you sleep. This intentional awareness will reveal the truth.
