Patricia Moss-Vreeland held an interactive workshop on Sept. 14 in the Sordoni Art Gallery. The gallery is showing her woek in the exhibit “In Search of Meaning: Memory Becomes Us.” The exhibit is currently on display.
Vreeland, an artist, author, poet and thought leader has been compiling “In Search of Meaning” since 1999. During this time, it continually changed and shaped itself and its artist. However, the main point stayed the same: the brain’s purpose is to look for meaning.
“I keep learning more and then I have new art and new ways to say things about it,” said Vreeland.
Vreeland had worked closely with a neuropsychologist who is head of a memory learning lab, reproducing work together and changing the other’s opinions on memory-related topics.
The interactive workshop functioned in a conversational way, Vreeland engaging attendees on the ways in which they use their memory to recall information and what that then says about people. As evident from student responses, past experiences and emotions make memories, and they are subjective. But just as much as they are subjective, shared experiences are equally important as they are the key source that allow people to form bonds.
“I honestly think after hearing her speak that it’s going to change my views on everything because now I know that my current memory is impacting the way that I’m going to think in the future; I’m going to focus on memory in a way I probably wouldn’t have before the lecture,” said junior criminology and psychology major Dreena Alvarez.
Memory is also derived from patterns, sensations and metaphors. One particular aspect reflected in Vreeland’s work is her art of patterns and categorization which leads to a specific object or idea. In one of her works, she utilizes images like a feather, water and other duck like elements to engage the memory in recalling a duck without a duck ever being initially shown.
She also utilizes smell, particularly in her piece, “Memory Is.” Smell is proven as the strongest sensation that makes connections for the brain. Vreeland’s aforementioned piece offers a smell of crayons, inviting a sense of nostalgia for those engaging with it.
“As somebody who’s both an English major and a psychology major, combining those two entities into one visual thing and seeing it laid out definitely makes you think more. This exhibit completely clears those boundaries in your mind and makes you think differently and more openly about something you wouldn’t have,” said senior Jay Guziewicz.
“In Search of Meaning: Memory Becomes Us” will be on display until Oct. 9. Attendees can visit the exhibit at the Sordoni Art Gallery which is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, noon. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, and closed Sunday and Monday.