"To Play Upon a Constant Note: Memory, Sustained and Unwavering" sculpture Jeanne Rene Watson
Installation Art
"To Play Upon a Constant Note: Memory, Sustained and Unwavering"
Global Citizenship Conference; The Faces of Genocide
April 12, 2018 — at West Valley College
Cement, barbed wire, found objects
***********************
To play upon a constant note: memory, sustained and unwavering
Gathering images of victims of genocide for research I found myself paralyzed with the constant question of what exactly would allow one to survive another day, both mentally and emotionally, in such a cruel and horrific situation. These men, women and children, who stare from behind, but beyond cement pylons laced with barbed wire and rebar, stripped of all intimate and worldly possessions, and denied worth and dignity, on what and where did they find an unflinching strength and will to live? Orphaned children who today squat beside rows of mothers and fathers and older siblings slaughtered during the night, children who barely understand the concept of life and death, on what will they base a future? In such extreme inhumanity on what does one’s will to live, love and survive find its sustenance?
Could I make this question one with which I could become more intimate? I asked myself if fate were to have placed me in history or present as a victim of genocide on what would I feed my will to survive, and my strength to resist despair and defeat. Memories … precious, sweet, simple … of things common and every day, these would be the fire of mind and soul. Perhaps the memory of serving a well-prepared meal, a reread and well-worn book, a child’s favorite toy, a comfy pair of shoes, music … the beach … little mementos and dog-eared photos, perhaps these intimate memories fueled those who suffered and yet survived for one more day. Memories escaping beyond the hardened pylons and suffocating lacework of wire and rebar …
Jeanne Watson
"To Play Upon a Constant Note: Memory, Sustained and Unwavering" sculpture Jeanne Rene Watson
Installation Art
"To Play Upon a Constant Note: Memory, Sustained and Unwavering"
Global Citizenship Conference; The Faces of Genocide
April 12, 2018 — at West Valley College
Cement, barbed wire, found objects
***********************
To play upon a constant note: memory, sustained and unwavering
Gathering images of victims of genocide for research I found myself paralyzed with the constant question of what exactly would allow one to survive another day, both mentally and emotionally, in such a cruel and horrific situation. These men, women and children, who stare from behind, but beyond cement pylons laced with barbed wire and rebar, stripped of all intimate and worldly possessions, and denied worth and dignity, on what and where did they find an unflinching strength and will to live? Orphaned children who today squat beside rows of mothers and fathers and older siblings slaughtered during the night, children who barely understand the concept of life and death, on what will they base a future? In such extreme inhumanity on what does one’s will to live, love and survive find its sustenance?
Could I make this question one with which I could become more intimate? I asked myself if fate were to have placed me in history or present as a victim of genocide on what would I feed my will to survive, and my strength to resist despair and defeat. Memories … precious, sweet, simple … of things common and every day, these would be the fire of mind and soul. Perhaps the memory of serving a well-prepared meal, a reread and well-worn book, a child’s favorite toy, a comfy pair of shoes, music … the beach … little mementos and dog-eared photos, perhaps these intimate memories fueled those who suffered and yet survived for one more day. Memories escaping beyond the hardened pylons and suffocating lacework of wire and rebar …
Jeanne Watson