My final project will be to capture my dad through his objects:
My idea for the final project is inspired from my team teaching project and a digital photo class I took last semester; it is to capture the essence of my late father through his objects.
Throughout the course of this semester, we have been focusing on the owners relationship to his/her objects and how (if the objects have some attachment or value) a part of that person is captured in them.
I will create a series of scans (around 3 or 4) cluttered with my dad’s belongings in a certain compositional way that expresses who he was as a person. Even when the person is no longer here, the objects left behind can tell the story of who that person was, even to people who have never met him or her.
The objects in the prints will be assorted in chronological/significant/symbolic ways that will best represent who my dad was as a whole person through some of his most valued objects that my family and I have. We have a lot of his belongings, but some objects would not fit on a scanner and some other ones are with other family members. I had my mom send up to me an assortment of his objects that will capture my dad’s history or essence since he came into and out of our lives.
I will have prints of my photos to show to the class, along with a short essay explaining what I have done. Professor Mulready suggested that I write an introduction along with something possibly inspired by our read, Taking Things Seriously. Since I will be presenting several objects here, I am basically going to map out each object (and it’s transition into the series) and explain how it embodies a part of my dad.
The Materials of History, Thought, and Art 
This sounds really sweet and personal. I’m excited to see what you put together.
I’m sorry to hear about your father. This is a project that is original and fascinating and will also honor your father in an amazing way!
This sounds like a great idea Ally, and I think our focus on Vanitas artwork really influenced the way in which objects can represent so much about an idea, person or art piece. The text: Taking Things Seriously is a great way to gear this study and I remember there were so many great stories about individuals and their personal objects. I can’t wait to see this and thank you for sharing it with us, especially since it’s such a personal thing to explore.
This sounds like a beautiful project, I bet your family is so proud! I think it’ll really bring everything we learned in class together, while still allowing you to be creative.