Creating a Touchstone

I started experimenting with jars a little while back. (The most successful so far being Pre-serve: Deconstruction of a Red Dress.)

The idea started after seeing Portlandia's "we can pickle that". And a few pins I'd recently seen. Ridiculousness, I know, but it really got me thinking about ways to capture moments. Below is a photo of a piece I made for a good friend of mine. 

Schuinn enjoyed college life more than anyone I know, so for his graduation present I documented his experiences with sampling.

Contained in a much larger jar there are series of smaller jars. Each jar represents one of his regular hang outs. For example for his old apartment, 911, I dug up soil from the front yard. From our friend Mel, I was given several of the cigarettes left over from one night's banter. Fibers from my couch lie in one jar, much like he did a couple of nights after heavy partying. Also there are objects representing inside jokes.

Schuinn recently told me it was one of the most meaningful gifts he's ever been given, which makes me count it as a major success. I feel like this was a sketch for future projects.

The one that keeps nagging at me is a self portrait jar.

So wish me luck!
-Meredith