The "one year ago, today" article on the home page made me think about the idea of collections and what to do with them.
It is interesting that an object by itself may not be very appealing. However, when you surround that object with other objects around the same theme, it becomes much more interesting.
How many of us have been attracted to a display of items, bought one item, taken it home and then wondered why we were attracted to it? It is not nearly as attractive or interesting all by itself.
Many times it is because it was there as part of a larger display and it looked wonderful. But, when you get it all by itself, it loses it's impact.
This is the way my coffee mug collection is. Just one cup by itself may be not be more interesting than a grin. But, when you look at them all assembled, they create quite a interest. But, they have to be displayed to be of any interest. If they are sitting in a cabinet being stored, there is no point.
I don't generally agree with the idea of taking a picture of something and then discarding the item. I agree with discarding it, but a picture of something just seems lame. I would rather have a memory, than a picture, in most cases.
The article was about a collection of awards. Most of these things that I have seen are just made with cheap stuff--pot metal and acetate ribbons. I see a lot of them at the resale venues. It seems that a fitting tribute would be to assemble them into a composed arrangement, a collection, that makes a statement. In this case, take a picture of that assemblage. Now, you have a collected statement about the awards that you have won. If you just took a picture of each one, individually, and kept it on a file on your computer, it would be pretty uninteresting. As an artistically arranged collection, it can be interesting. Put it on your computer screen saver and use it.
Then, get rid of it ,if that is what you are pondering to do. Even if you stick it back in the attic,or the back of the closet in a bin, you can still enjoy the collective spirit and sum of your awards by means of a desktop picture.
If you have a collection of blue ribbons from the county fair, it may be interesting to frame them individually and then display them as a collection.
My point is that items that are collected are of most value when the are displayed together, or used, as a collection and a collection needs to be seen to be appreciated. Otherwise you are just warehousing clutter for your loved ones to get rid of when you die.
If you really have a lot of awards and this is your life, you may want to keep them all. But, do display them!
About making a "quilt" from those old ribbons--with all the effort required to do so--why? These textile items are not meant to be cut, sewn, or preserved. The fabric is not worthy of such. A framed collage might be a better way to use them, or a display of individually framed ribbons.
T shirts are more accomodating to this medium. I made tshirt quilts for both of my kids from a collection of their old tshirts all through they years. As a collection, they make a statement. You do have to be mindfull that some thsirts may not be worthy of being part of a quilt. The quilts that I made are actually usable, sturdy and washable. I have a collection of ones from husband that will be a quilt for him one day. I cut away the parts that I know that I will not use so I am not warehousing old clothes. America has such a love affair with themed tshirts!
For many collections, it can be a question of HOW to display them. I have a number of depression era quilts that I inherited from my farming family. I am at a loss to how to store them well, or display them. I don't have enough wall space to hang them all. And, hanging can damage them. I need a big glass case to attractively display them folded. Of course, they need to be refolded once in a while to change the wear pattern on them.
So, what do you collect and how do you appreciate it?
