Drawing memories

Thinking about my attempts against forgetting through the use of drawing.

I had this cool hypothesis (cool in my mind! lol) back many years ago about using an icon or a mark as a form of signifier for an event. The backstory was that my friends have very good memories and they talk about stuff that happened in the past and I can’t seem to remember them. I felt FOMO about this and so I decided to experiment.

If I remember correctly, this thought was tangent to the memory device called memory palace. The weirder or more unusual the object where you attach the memory, the easier it is to remember.

And so what I did was play with this idea.

Sometimes I took bits of images from the event but sometimes I didn’t. The practice was very loose and I didn’t think about any rules. I just drew something for some memories or sometimes dreams that were interesting to me.

I added words as a layer of meaning and composition. I think the words are significant in anchoring the image to the memory.

This is the first one that I’ve drawn in the series. 5 years ago:

Judging this 5 years later, I think it wouldn’t have worked as good if not for the words. Definitely an important component. The words lend an ambiance to the memory for sure.

The image for me now, is some kind of a memory shortcut. It has a way of pointing to a specific memory that I can recall easily and vividly – an afternoon after work, busy street, walking together, a confession, a little bit of anxiety, awkwardness, relief, and endearment. I admire a good crush or love confession, I appreciate the courage, and the outrageous vulnerability. What are we without desire? Plus points for humanity.

Some other drawings from the series.

A couple of years after verifying my hypothesis, I retired this series (are ideas ever retired though?). Retired is too strong as an ending, I still dabble from time to time. My takeaway was yes, this path works. If I want to remember something and put it in a time capsule, I can draw something for it. Doesn’t have to be the thing itself, just a drawing of an idea where I can anchor the memory in.

Would it be useful for me in the future? maybe. who knows. I’m just collecting ideas recreationally at this point.

Drawing can be a shorthand / shortcut for the signified.

PS – Memories can be so abstract and nebulous. I guess I like it when they are imprinted? associated? with a physical object like a drawing. Maybe it’s about control and certainty. Am I being nostalgic or sentimental about it? Sometimes I also wonder what for, if it will eventually slip away. And to what extent will I forget. And will it matter. I don’t know. I’m curious.

There’s so much drawing still ahead of me. I think that’s really nice.