the death of Thought and Memory

Iain Douglas

Research output: Non-Textual OutputExhibition

Abstract

From the press release:

For the work, taken from his current exhibition ‘the death of Thought and Memory’, Iain has taken from the classical Nordic myth of the ravens Huginn (from Old Norse for ‘thought’) and Muninn (‘memory’), who fly all over the world and bring information to the Norse god Odin.

Iain explained: “The idea behind the work is, like the ravens, a dual concept. My mum was struggling with dementia at the time I created the film, and this was my way of expressing what she was experiencing as she lost her memories”.

“The film sees an umbrella, representing one of Odin’s ravens, being repeatedly shot. With each shot or stroke, the umbrella becomes more and more destroyed, echoing the erosion of memory that people suffering from dementia experience”.

“The theme of loss permeates this and the other works in the exhibition. In addition to this personal experience of memory loss, there is a wider cultural narrative of people losing their links to our old stories and myths. As these vanish, we also lose something of ourselves; a little bit of that shared experience that binds us together. I think it’s important to reconnect to our shared cultural heritage as well as celebrating its continuing diversity.”
Original languageEnglish
Publication statusPublished - 11 Sept 2015
Eventthe death of Thought and Memory - Devonport Live, Plymouth, United Kingdom
Duration: 11 Sept 201521 Sept 2015

Keywords

  • exhibition
  • folklore
  • dementia
  • art
  • plasterworks
  • film
  • mixed media

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