This is an ongoing, international public art project. From August to October 2005, I was on the streets of downtown Oakland--at the farmer's markets, in front of Ratto’s, and at Jack London Square, as well as at City Center Plaza--interviewing the public about their nostalgic objects. The participants and their objects have been photographed and their stories recorded on video. Here are the first sets of images and brief synopsis of their stories.
This is an evolving project. I will continue Immortalizing objects in Oakland, and am equipped to interview YOU about your nostalgic object(s) by appointment.
A selection of images and stories were made into postcards of Oakland, using a typical tourist-friendly format, but representing real residents and visitors and their stories. These postcards will continue to be produced and distributed at various downtown locations.
Photographic images with captions and a few donated objects, as well as video footage from past realizations of the project, made up an exhibition at 21Grand Gallery in October 2005. Many participants, unfamiliar to the gallery scene, visited the exhibition and were pleased to see themselves with a public voice.
This is part of a larger project, Immortalizing objects worldwide. Nostalgic objects are catalysts to open discussions personal, cultural, political. What are our similarities? What are our differences? The project is ever-evolving and incorporates different processes of Immortalizing and exposure, from wax-dipped preservation of donated objects to postcards to multiples to talking pictures.
The Immortalization Project Oakland has been funded in part by the Gunk Foundation.
Special thanks to Elena and the Ratto’s crew, Vini, Shalene and John, Ron Jackson, Dan Nelson, Slim Russel, and all the participants.
