The predominant theme that I chose to base my project on was the idea of ‘traces’. Remnants and traces of different things can be found throughout my home, and they all play a part in the sensory experience that allows me to build memories and stories about its present and its past. I tried to capture some of these traces from the perspective that I would normally experience them – in an intimate, perhaps fleeting moment as I go about my day.
Traces appear in many forms throughout the home. A scuff of paint on the wall, an old rope tied to a tree, or old nails and hooks that once hung decorations are indicative of past lives in the space I now occupy. Distant sounds of movement, breathing, and laughter indicate traces of those that occupy the space with me. External noises, however, remain a trace of the bustling city and life that exists outside the sanctuary of this space.
The fruit stickers on the inside of a cupboard were the initial inspiration for this theme. If the homes previous tenants left this behind, then surely there were more traces of them remaining. This led me on a scavenger hunt to locate all the remnants of these past lives, providing an insight to their everyday quirks and habits. My favourite findings included a stolen parking sign, a coral bathroom decoration and two pieces of old rope tied to trees that once possibly held up a hammock. All of these objects, that hold little meaning at first glance, took on a new life when I looked at them from this perspective. It gave me an idea of the rich and colourful history my home must have, and made me realise that my housemates and I are now part of it.
Traces impact my space on a significant level – traces of current and past life. I attempted to convey the everyday sensory experience of my home through capturing small segments of its sights and sounds. Through this I realised that my home is not only a structure that people occupy, but also a four-dimensional canvas in which memories and experiences are created, and to which sentiment is attached. My house has a life as dynamic and vibrant as the people that occupy it, parts of which may be told through the traces it leaves behind.
