On Longing Asssignment

On Longing Assignment

"Capacity of objects to serve as traces of authentic experience."

-Susan Stuart

The quote expresses the belief that any object can act as proof of a first-hand experience. I chose this picture because it represents proof of my time in New Jersey before moving to Florida.

"The body is the primary mode of perceiving scale."
-Susan Stuart

The quote explains that human-like figures are primarily used when measuring and observing scale. I chose this picture, as it contains a human-like structure. The statue serves as a method of measuring the scale of humans in comparison to other objects.

"The souvenir reduces the public, the monumental, and the three-dimensional into the miniature, that which can be enveloped by the body."

-Susan Stuart

The quote explains that visual souvenirs reduce the scope of the meaning of that object. For instance, the above object's ornate meaning has lost its authenticity over time, as it has been seen by many passing individuals ranging from tourists to students.

"To have a souvenir of the exotic is to possess both a specimen and a trophy."

-Susan Stuart

The quote explains that souvenirs, whether they are tangible, intangible, physical, or visual, serve as both initial objects and proof of an experience. I took this picture because it represents that trait, as due to its nature as a tourist attraction, the ornate ceiling within the picture serves as both an object and proof of one observing a well-renowned piece of art.

"The nostalgic impact of the hand-made in a 'plastic world'."

-Susan Stuart

The quote expresses the idea that the meaning of objects can be distorted by nostalgia in a world dominated by possessions and accompanied experiences. I chose the above picture because it emphasizes that objects viewed throughout various time periods eventually developing various meanings influenced by differing experiences.