MEMORIES

  

Inspired by Dementia; Alzheimer’s in particular as Alzheimer's is the most common form of Dementia, where it accounts for 60-80 percent of cases (Alzheimer’s Association).Those with dementia may have problems with their short-term memory, as Alzheimer’s typically begins to affect the part of the brain that affects learning, therefore it is harder for those with Alzheimer’s to remember new information (Alzheimer’s Association). Plaques and tangles are abnormal structures that are believed to be the factor that kills and damages these nerves.  Although most people do develop some plaque and tangles as they age, those with Alzheimer's will develop more; also they tend to develop in areas important for memories, called the hippocampus, which is essential to forming memories. As the neurons die, the brain region that is affected will being to shrink (National Institute on Aging).

Memories are a very personal thing, although people may choose to share their memories with others, or they experience memories with others, everyone will interpret memories differently. With time, memories do change, or are forgotten; photographs are used to immortalize memories, people and places even when the real memory is forgotten by the person. 

The more recent photos are woven out of order because Alzheimer’s and Dementia affects ones short-term memory, therefore those with Alzheimer’s and Dementia will not be able to retain new memories or learn new things. However, one will still have their long-term memories, therefore the older photos were woven in order and cut in thicker strips in order to be seen more clearly. 

Installed in 

Baycrest Hospital in Toronto, Ontario

3560 Bathurst Street, Toronto, ON M6A 2E1

From December 2014 - April 2015

Work Cited

Alzheimer’s Association. Alzheimer’s Association, 2014. Web. 8 Nov. 2014.

“Alzheimer’s Disease Fact Sheet.” National Institute on Aging. National Institute on Aging, 2012. Web. 8 Nov, 2014.


update:
Here are additional photos of this installation

A closer shot of the photos when the warp was taken off the loom.

This was the first framed photo, it is of my mother and myself, with some of my family members in the background.

Critique set up at school

There were a lot more photos that could have been added to the final installation, however due to some frames becoming scratched during transportation, I was unable to hand some up.

The final set up of the installation in Baycrest Institute.