3DCP: MEMORIES

This first project really tested my memory. I have a bad one to begin with but remembering what I got for every birthday is like trying to sit a maths exam ( note I'm bad at math).
It was a challenge because I didn't want to just draw stereotypical presents like an Iphone, laptop or money which ironically are the sort of things I have predominantly asked for over the past couple of teen years. Circling presents in the Argos catalogue isn't something I can relate to anymore.
Remembering overall presents that I have received is easier since they have had a precious meaning to me whether that be due to the person who I have received it from or an inside joke or memory the present represents. The only thing pre-teen years I remember for my birthday are the cakes my mum used to make, huge architectural master pieces that tasted just as good as they look. It's still a memory to me so it was important to add them into the initial drawings.

The drawings:

-a bottle of Kraken black spiced rum, a gesture from my boyfriend since the key to my heart is rum 

-a bottle of Takara Plum Wine ( a gift from my best friend who found it amusing there was an alcohol named after me)

-A life size pink rabbit stuffed toy, a gift from a friend in Japan since it is custom to give gifts when meeting. More of a funny memory to me since it was too large to pack so I had to carry it through the airport and customs back home

-A birthday cake of my favourite anime, although my Grandma tried so hard to put the main character on the front she go the wrong character but i loved the thought anyway

-My mum was amazing at making birthday cakes, in my younger years she would make all of them. One being a huge pink princess winter castle with ice cream cones for spires and dusting of icing sugar for snow

For my birthday at the zoo, she made a tiger cake using cookies as the ears and liquorice for the whiskers 

-My father lives in japan so its always been custom for him to send a birthday parcel my way every year, one time he sent a women's kimono catalogue attached with a note that said

"Coming of age for women in Japan is 20, I cant wait to buy you your first proper kimono" 

I remember flicking through for hours picking out my favourites

-My 18th was my latest birthday and instead of a present I wanted a night out (as most 18year olds would want), i had a karaoke booth rented out with friends for a couple hours in london and drank way too many cocktails

-Growing up I have memories of going to my aunties house after my morning ice skating lessons, eating beans on toast and watching my favourite anime NARUTO on the channel Jetix (which was a huge treat for me since I didn't have sky at home)

-For my 13th My mum bought my first ZARA purchase and if you are familiar with the shop you know its ridiculously over priced. I still own and wear the jacket now, its a Japanese embroidered bomber jacket similar to one that mum told me i wore when i was 2.

-Nike, the very first branded trainers i ever owned. I have never been into big brands but i remember at secondary i went through a football phase and wanted some real deal football trainers. Took a trip to JD with my grandma and i picked out these black football trainers with a turquoise paint splattered design 

Cutting out the memories getting rid of as much negative space as possible was difficult since my drawings were quite sparse. I left small thin strands between each memory to replicate rain or teardrops. It would be better if I did bigger images that were closer together or overlapping

Since the back of the paper was plain and white I added some Japanese alphabet symbols to add more design since when I was younger I got given a puzzle board with letters of the Japanese alphabet.

These are everyones memories hung up and connected, the lighting and video in the background along with the music created a powerful installation. The lights reflected off the memories, creating shadows of our fleeting memories.