Of your belongings, is there a particular object that best defines or most reveals who you are as an individual? What does it say about you?

I’m not sure if clothing counts as an ‘object,’ but I have one particular sweatshirt that probably best reveals who I am as an individual. It’s brightly patterned, colorful, and cheery while being (at this point) a bit worn in and completely comfortable. It’s the sort of thing that not everyone would wear, but it makes people smile to see it. It’s happy, and I would hope that I could be described by others on the most fundamental level as a happy person.

Sunday, April 3 at 9:18pm

I would have to say my Converse Jack Purcell by Giles Deacon sneakers. The appeal of both the Chuck Taylor and Jack Purcell is that they were originally designed as purely functional objects. They come from a time before fashion, style and design were a consideration for athletic shoes, and vulcanization, the industrial process by which the shoes are manufactured, was relatively young – making the minimal canvas and rubber construction of the shoe the most interesting part.

One of my mentors, a designer from Japan, would call this “no style” and I think there is something appealing about a blank canvas, people feel it gives them freedom to express themselves – perhaps the reason these sneakers have been the choice of everyone from rockers to artists for decades.

My Giles Deacons, created about 100 years to the date of Converse’s first vulc sneakers, bring new colors/materials to to the shoe and great (mass-produced) craftsmanship – a beige jacquard with chickenwire motif with perfectly matched screen printed binding (that’s hard to do!), and encased in white rubber is a fluorescent pink Jack Purcell “smile.”

They are the ultimate in “no style” style. They are functionalist sneakers in beige – but on close examination the details are of an exceptional quality, executed beautifully. I suppose this might say that I take a similar approach to my work, and find joy in well executed minimalism, functionalism and “no style.”

Tuesday, April 5 at 11:11am

When I started my first job, my mother gave me the first ring she bought when she rec’d her first salary check. It’s a beautiful yellow jade circle set in gold. Simple, elegant, modern with no special adornments: just like her. I don’t know if it best defines me, but it best reflects my love for my mother. I wear it every day. All of my rings have sentimental value but this one in particular is a special one tied to a special person in my life who values the daily things that add meaning to life.
I wear it on my index finger where it best fits me. I wear it on my index finger as I point toward the future.

Thank you, Irene, for bringing a special subject to this Forum of Conversations. Love, Alice

Tuesday, April 5 at 11:41am

This is an intriguing, even intimate, question. Consciously and not, I think people choose the objects with which they surround themselves for very specific reasons. People define themselves so broadly through their possessions, far beyond family heirlooms and souvenirs– and for all the things that represent the public side of a person, there are usually many more that represent the person’s private life. The mundane objects are often as illuminating, or even more so, than the “special” things.

My object is perhaps something in the middle– a fairly nondescript overnight bag that I absolutely adore. This bag manages to encapsulate, in one way or another, everything I love most. I got it during a research fellowship to Japan, a country in which I had lived for several years previously. I eyed it all summer, and (at that time at least) you couldn’t get this brand in the US, so I finally decided to get it right before I left. It was a big splurge for me at the time, but I convinced myself it could be justified since it was something useful. For once, that kind of thinking panned out– it has been used a LOT since then! I love to travel, and this bag has been on more journeys with me than I can count. Since it’s on the small side, it’s recently gotten a sort of second life since the birth of my son, by becoming “his” suitcase. So, this bag has ended up encapsulating many of my favorite things: it’s a reminder of a special country and a valued period of life; it’s reminiscent of treasured vacations spent with my family, my husband and my son; and– last but hardly least– it’s a fantastic, stylish bag! Form, function, and memory: perfect.

Tuesday, April 5 at 2:49pm

I love a great pair of sneakers that are well designed and like Emily, my first instinct was to choose a pair that best defines or most reveals about me as an individual. I gave this question some thought and realized that in spite of having a modest collection of sneakers, not one pair best defines or reveals most about me. To answer this question, I have chosen the wrist watch because it says more about my personality and work ethics than a pair of sneakers would say. Although there isn’t a particular watch that best defines me, I do like watches that are unique, well designed and colorful. I don’t care much for digital watches and all the features they have to offer, as long as I am able to tell the time and the watch looks great on from afar, I’ll wear it.

Given the versatility of smart phones today, it seems as if cell phones have taken on the role of replacing the watch. I may come across as being old fashioned, but I much rather tell you the time by looking at my watch than at my iPhone. It’s much faster, I don’t have to search for my phone, hit the “home” button and wait for the home screen to appear. I also think that I can make more of a fashion statement by wearing a watch, than by pulling out a smart phone out of my pockets (unless of course, the phone is covered in diamonds and other precious jewels).

The day I forget to put on one of my watches, I feel disoriented and “naked.” I think for me, when I wear a watch, it says that I appreciate that art of an object that is slowly becoming obsolete. I like to know how much time it takes me to finish a project or how long I’ve been waiting for a bus or the subway.

Wednesday, April 6 at 2:06pm

I’m not sure that can identify a “single” object that reveals much about me. On the other hand, there are groups of objects that I collect that may be revealing. For example, in storage, I have several hundred unbuilt model aircraft. It may sound like a juvenile affliction, but one can learn much about dynamical form and construction by building a large-scale model aircraft. I did, and interestingly, this is something that I write about in my dissertation (a study of how architecture and aeronautics transformed the discourses on air in France in the late 19th and early 20th century … did you know that both Gustave Eiffel and Etienne-Jules Marey built model aircraft?)

I should also mention that I also have 5 bass guitars in my closet (I have been playing bass for over 25 years, and still play on a daily basis … I used to be a touring musician).

All the above, of course, complement my already large collection of DVD’s and books (many of the rare) … which is a roundabout way of saying that I do place a lot of importance on having physical objects. And I would be dishonest if I told you that these collecting habits had no bearing on me as a person.

Thursday, April 7 at 9:48am

I must say it is always difficult for me to make choices like this, as I usually say the house itself is what I come home to and it is so refreshing after a long day to be amongst all of the objects which make me feel quite connected. However, if you would like for me to choose, the thing that I do most frequently when I’m not at work, or after a long trip, is to go directly to my studio because there are always paintings that aren’t finished and they are the things I’ve been thinking about while away from the house. I have a pretty good visual memory and therefore, after mulling about some issues with the painting and what I might try next, I return to this little room in my house which has become a favorite.

Thursday, April 7 at 12:23pm

I don’t have any particular single object but I have always collected stuff. One of these collections is of about twenty stone lighthouses. These are lathe turned from serpentine. It is relatively rare in the UK but occurs in some easily accessible veins on the Cornish coast. They vary in height of about 5cm up 20cm and each one shows wildly different colours and pattern. Some are flat grey and others dark red and a few have wriggly mossy inclusions. They were made as holiday souvenirs and in that respect are a bit kitsch, but I like the fact that they are like geological samples made into ornaments.

Following on with the geological theme; last summer holiday my son and I made a display cabinet of fossils and minerals. Some of these I collected as a boy and my son has added to these with finds from the mountains or local river. There are bits of quartz, fossilised coral, flint tools, iron age pottery, ammonites, lava from Tenerife, some titanium fixings from a jet plane. As we decided which should be included in the display we got out various books and used Wikipedia to check information and amused ourselves for a couple of rainy days.

Both of these collections have caught the attention of visitors and always drawn questions. I don’t know what it says about me. Except, it appears that my son may have Aspergers condition and as I have learned more about this, I realise that I may also have Aspergers. These collections suit the slightly obsessive nature of the condition and frankly, make the best of it. So, if Aspergers condition can be considered something that you have and own, then these collections, and I have a lot of stuff, define me.

Friday, April 8 at 2:38am

At first I tend to reject the idea that a person can be defined by one object, like Mark. But when I stretched a bit, I realized there is one object that whether resting, in motion or as a concept, can represent me.

My bike. A 2002 Ducati Monster motorcycle.

It’s yellow, fast and snarls when you twist the throttle. As an object, I adore it for its inimitable design, something that reminds me both of my individuality and spirit. Conceptually it represents adventure and possibilities, and I relish the thought that it sits nearby in my garage, ready at a moments notice. And in motion, there is a feeling of exhilaration thanks to those endorphins, that quite simply brings clarity.

Thanks for allowing this introspection Irene!

Friday, April 8 at 2:42pm

What a great topic! I love thinking about the impact and meaningfulness that objects hold & communicate to people. A fellow artist friend Cicilia Teng has been documenting people and objects that matter to them.

Participating in her project, I chose objects which I attribute to communicate meaningful characteristics that impact my life. The objects pictured here: http://www.cicidiary.com/ reveal that I am an artist & husband. The underlying existence of these objects is what I think reveals most about me.

In isolation from anything else, I think it is difficult for objects to reveal who I am as an individual. But, in light of the experiences which they have history with and future purpose, they speak to me with symbolic notes.

Because of those intricately woven variables that are not always physically apparent when viewing the object, it is difficult to declare such an answer. For example, my wedding ring is symbolic of my commitment and life long relationship with my wife. My wife’s ring is a match to it, but made of rose gold. And, our wedding rings were designed and made by my father in law.

My sculpture was modeled after my fingerprint and was the result of my intention to communicate thoughts about identity and personal responsibility. My intention for the sculpture was to communicate those ideas, but because I was involved in the process of it’s development, it communicates to me the time, toil, thought, and energy which I put in and received from making it.

If I had to select one object, that communicates more about who I am as an individual, it would appear that my sculpture would. However, I think relationships provide excellent opportunities for revealing the attributes and characteristics of the individuals who compose that relationship. Consequently, I would say my wedding ring best reveals who I am as an individual.

Cheers to a wonderful & challenging question:)

Friday, April 8 at 8:22pm

my electric bike shows that i am a serious environmentalist
that i am practical
up on things
a rebel of sorts
and allows me to look intelligent

Friday, April 8 at 11:18pm

I would like to thank everyone who participated in this week’s conversation. I appreciated the candor and thoughtfulness that was evident in each post.

It is interesting to note that most participants’ responses remained personal in nature and did not extrapolate to large cultural issues or critiques of materialism, consumerism, or late capitalism.

Before the conversation closes, I feel it is only fair to share the three objects that I alluded to earlier.

The first object would be “Maurice,” my big black glasses. (Maurice is the manufacturer’s name for the frame model. It is inscribed on the left arm.) I have worn this particular frame since my first job after graduating college. I purchased them from a store that primarily served Medicare patients. After wearing the same frame throughout grad school, I upgraded to a similarly shaped big black frames by Chanel, then later to a wire frame by Alain Mikli. They just did not feel right, so in 2007, I finally returned to Maurice.

The second object is my “bi,” a circular jade pendent. It is an ancient Chinese symbol of heaven, eternity. My first bi was purchased in Hong Kong to commemorate my paternal grandfather’s death. I wore it until it accidentally fell off and broke. I now wear one that belonged to my paternal grandmother.

The third object is a horseshoe from a retired race horse, Sable, my big brown mare. I credit her for being my most important teacher, and if I were to go into detail about what I learned from her, I would have a book. (I grew up with animals…)

This was fun. Let’s do this again!

Saturday, April 9 at 8:03pm