Non-Place: Childhood Nostalgia

Looking into smell and nostalgia i found this article about the science behind  it all. Apparently research done in Sweden found that when exposed to certain smells people could recall memories from younger ages than people who just heard the names of the smells and people who had the smell along with its name recalled more memories.
Im using this information to create my own blend of essential oil scents along with information from Snoezelen about how aromatherapy oils are used to relax or destress. I want my scent to recall memories for people but if you've ever walked past a candle shop near Christmas you'll know it can go a bit far with the old artificial mulled wine and winter fruits.

Going overboard with the Christmas factor is something i also have to think about with my images. Seeing as i always put myself in my work somewhere i have decided to create a projection which uses photographs from my own childhood mixed together in a kaleidoscope. Its my hope that people will be able to pick out some elements of the photos, some snow or a christmas present (or a beach holidayin the Summer), without seeing the full picture. To recall memories of good times and childhood happiness without plastering a picture of my gurning baby face on a wall.

(my photos)

While i was looking into kaleidoscope style artwork i found someone else turning old photos into patterns. Nicole Crock's Tesselate project turns vintage photographs of people and their homes found in thrift stores into abstract patterns which she also makes into three-dimensional origami shapes, since im looking a bit into 3D mapping, origami stars could be the way to go.

looking at these made me think about using not only photos from my childhood but family photos of holidays and good times going way back before i was born

images from nicolecrock.com