University of North Dakota Final BFA Exhibition
Inheritance is an installation for the viewer to learn about the designer's ancestry. I wanted the audience to connect with the display through contemporary books, that contrasts the subject matter dating back to the 1700s. Each family line has their own hand-bound, custom designed book. Each book goes through the timeline of that family line and births, deaths, locations, along with any known stories. Both books are color coded, either blue or green to delineate them. I chose the tones because they are more gender neutral and can be differentiated easily. Biographies have photos of each individual, couple, or family, and collected information about their lives. The book is separated chronologically, with family trees and maps in the beginning and ending with interviews, photos, and documents. Simplistic infographics are used on family group photos to identify each individual.
The importance of genealogy is up for debate, even though it is the second most common hobby in the United States, as over 60% of Americans research their lineage. Through my work, I hope viewers get the nostalgic sense of family and are motivated to discover their ancestor’s past. After learning about my ancestors, I try harder to follow their examples of hard work and recognize the importance of family bonds.
The information in this piece has been discovered through interviews, the United States Census, Ancestry, Clay County Historical Society, and many family member interviews held in person, by phone, and even by letter.
Each wall panel was hand constructed and coated for preservation. Oil paint was used to stay consistent with the historical nature of the installation, while also featuring a modern design by adding a plexi mounted panel with overlays of family surnames and topographical maps of their homelands. Each panel coincides with a book relating to that family. Items displayed are heirlooms of each family or of the local areas in which they resided, and date back to the 1800s.
Each wall panel was hand constructed and coated for preservation. Oil paint was used to stay consistent with the historical nature of the installation, while also featuring a modern design by adding a plexi mounted panel with overlays of family surnames and topographical maps of their homelands. Each panel coincides with a book relating to that family. Items displayed are heirlooms of each family or of the local areas in which they resided, and date back to the 1800s.
Above: View of hardcover set
Above: View of spreads from Rehder lineage
Above: View of spreads from Berge lineage
Above: View of panels, oil on birch panel with plexilglass mount, frosted vinyl on plexiglass
Left: Rehder, Palya, Kerestes lineage
Right: Quanud, Berge, Stadstad lineage
