The meticulous mind of an artist, arranges a space unlike any I have ever seen. The inhabitant of this unique, nest like environment is one of my closet friends Alexa. Had I not known her and I walked into her room, I would be wildly confused. Seemingly none of the objects make sense together. There are twinkly lights hanging from branches, that rest alongside tiny Swedish flags and pumpkin lights. Along the walls are dark paintings with obscure subject matter, children of my friend’s vastly creative mind. The room is warmly lit, candles of every color line the book shelves and the distressed armoire. Perhaps one of the more striking ornaments to this living space are the mannequin limbs that hang from the wall and sit on her otherwise pristine and organized bookshelf.The bookshelf itself is full of wicker baskets that house everything from camera film to toiletries. There are book stacks of Renaissance Art and Swedish Folktales. And a record player sits on top. As the Talking Heads vinyl spins slowly, bobbing up and down ever so delicately. The words “The world was moving and she was right there with it” hauntingly linger in the air as I sat watching this room I have spent so much time in.
What may sound like an erratic display of Halloween paraphernalia actually functions as a work space, befitting of a creative and scholarly mind. And amongst the knick-knacks and tree branches is a large bed, that sits like a cloud in the near center of the room. It’s a place friends have congregated to discuss our rather mundane grievances during our college life. A sort of refuge for us all as we’ve filtered in and out of our friend’s home. As the bed is the most normal looking thing in the room it was a good place to sit and take it all in. And as I looked around I realized, everything in here has a purpose. The tiny bats and pumpkin lights that hang from every corner of the room, serve as a reminder of Alexa’s love for the whimsical and perhaps the spooky. The small Swedish flags and wicker witches that hail from the same country are telling of her heritage, and the love she has for those family members that come from Sweden. As far as the rather psychotic sounding mannequins that live in her room, her grandfather does sculptures from these very items. It’s safe to say my friend lives among these items, not the other way around. She explained that although these things seem like they have no use, they do for her. They are all, in some small way a part of her which she projects into her living space. There is a certain darkness to the room, it’s true. But there are points of the romantic throughout. Lace curtains, nostalgic photos and large earrings hanging from a heart shaped holder also live here. It’s a kind of representation of the many sides of Alexa, The seemingly rough exterior houses a more delicate side. Perhaps I can only take this away from the room because I know her well. As I said, the room as a whole, may be confusing if you don’t know her. It’s just fascinating how much a living space can say about a person.
The Materials of History, Thought, and Art 
Wow. Your friend’s room is really interesting and unique. I agree with you completely about how much a living space can say about a person. I think this is because like our clothes our living spaces can represent us. We can experiment and express ourselves with in them. In my house, my housemates and I all have such differently styled rooms and they represent our own styles very much so like your friends. It really is amazing what one person can do to a space. This is something I have always marveled at and I feel like your post perfectly expresses that.
I love how you discussed the contrast of the different objects in the room. While we can can conclude from your descriptions that your friend has a very unique taste (awesome, I might add), there are also displays of everyday life like the earrings. It seems like she put a lot of thought and effort into creating this space. Very cool.
While reading your post I had a beautiful sense that your friend, Alexa, gave each object life. I felt their purpose and felt the meaning they have for her. But the trinkets and expressive materials have meaning because she gave them meaning — she gave them a life. She gave the space for them to exist in the way they do.
I believe all things are energy and she has taken the time and effort — the energy — to give meaning to her space.
You bring up an important point that you do know her well so your view of her room might be different from someone else’s view. But I was thinking that the “getting to know” is exactly what anthropologists do anyway. I think a good observer, a good anthropologist, does the work of knowing the person and the connection to the materials.
This was really enjoyable to read and Alexa is wildly creative. I was looking at the hanging pumpkin and she used it in such a different and unconventional way. This piece was so interesting, thanks for sharing it!