Objects Tell Stories

“Isn't that the only way to curate a life? To live among things that make you gasp with delight?” ―Maira Kalman, My Favorite Things

I recently taught a 6-part art class for caregivers of people with dementia. Unlike the programs I typically teach, this was just for caregivers. The goal was to provide respite from the caretaking, teach a new skill, provide a space for self-expression, and create connection. Like many of the programs we design at the museum, I called this class Objects Tell Stories. As you can imagine, museum art and artifacts, and the study of art history lend themselves to this theme.

As I prepared for the class each week, I prepped in my typical way: I searched for inspiration. I had to come prepared to class with the objects and prompts I would ask the group to address. This led me to consider the objects I surround myself with, and what stories they tell.

Each artwork and object in the museum tells an incredible story—of how it got there (its provenance,) who has owned it, how it was made, what the maker wished to communicate, and how we interpret it now. Objects in a museum tell stories, but it turns out every object tells a story.

In his 1982 essay for Journal of Education titled, Teaching Yourself to Teach With Objects, John Henningar Shuh advocates for teaching with objects. In it he makes a very important point: objects tell the stories and history of ordinary people.

As the class unfolded, it was incredible to hear about the meaningful objects in everyone’s lives. A small figurine gifted by an estranged son, a yin and yang pendant an interracial couple wear, with husband now caring for his wife, a favorite childhood dress crocheted by a loved-one, a beloved book that gets read over and over again in prayer.   

I felt lucky to learn about these stories and the objects that hold meaning in people’s lives. As a maker of objects—objects that deal with history—this is very encouraging!

When it comes to objects I think of the 2008 film Summer Hours, where three siblings must decide what to do with their matriarch’s beloved art collection and family home. The film shows us that objects often do not hold inherent meaning. Meaning is made through their context, their role in the owner’s life, and their presumed value.

What objects hold meaning for you?  

07/12/2022 / Sonya