at ease under trees

Project Preposal

9/11/06
I have chosen memory as the topic of my research. More specifically, I would like to focus on how memories are built. I want to explore that scientifically in relation to how people come to remember the things they do and how they remember things that really never happened. That concept has always been of interest to me, especially in arguments where both contenders are positive that their memory of the situation is the correct one.

Another spin I might take on the concept of memory is memory through my personal genealogy. My inspiration is the recently popular book and movie Everything is Illuminated. The main character, in a quest to explore the history of his grandfather, who experienced WWII as a Jew, collects items (items seemingly irrelevant an extrememly peculiar ones) and takes notes of anything relating to his genealogy. It is only through exploring every minute detail that he finally uncovers meaningful knowledge, and illumination occurs. In a small scale way, this is what I wish to do for my project. I would like to deconstruct my past through historical items, memoirs, journals and photos.

posted by kristine @ 11:48 PM