This course explores the ways in which objects and material culture embody personal narrative. Moving back and forth from ephemeral traces of events and experiences to the culturally invested luxury goods that create legacy to the objects that facilitate daily life, this class will use, as its primary references, examples that draw from queer and African American cultures to underscore the potential of objects to tell the stories that not only reflect majority traditions and experiences but those of the disenfranchised, the details of whose lives are often obscured. In addition to readings that will provide background for class discussion, student will be asked to play the roles of detectives, archeologists, and curators at various sites around New York City. Each student will also be asked to create an annotated material record that reveals the public and private lives of one individual. That record may consist of texts, objects or any variety of media chosen or designed by the student. This blogs serves as an archive for the work done in the context of this course and related materials that become relevant to this exploration.

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Food For Thought: Traditional Marquetry

I was reading a magazine the other day and came across an article on a 'comeback' in the interior design world. One which found its popularity in Italy during the 16th century. Traditional inlay techniques in wood are becoming more popular in home designs. There are a significant amount of services provided to restore older marquetry, as well as companies who specialize in designing custom wall coverings (made out of paper, with the appearance of wood). I think this pertains to the idea of an heirloom. These designs are not so much physical objects being handed down, but rather centuries old techniques being brought back to life and remembered again.






Source: House & Garden, September 2014
Isabelle Hay

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