DCCA Collaboration/Installation  2007
Collaboration with family caregivers from the Alzheimer's Association-Delaware Valley Chapter
Delaware Center for Contemporary Art--Artist-in-Residence Project--Wilmington, Delaware

Will You Trace My Steps…
Foam floor tiles and text

Adapted from the marble floor labyrinth in Chartres cathedral in France, I have distorted the basic geometric structure into the form of a brain. The colors of the foam tiles have been arranged based on a PET scan of brain that has Alzheimer’s disease. Unlike a maze that is confusing, a labyrinth is meant to be meditative as there is only one winding path that takes you in and out of the structure. You are invited to walk the labyrinth path. On the way to the center the words are in reverse and confusing. As you make your way from the center back out to where you started, clarity takes hold, as you are able to read words. These various phrases and text come from Alzheimer’ caregivers, statistics and poetic quotes from famous intellectuals. Symbolically, you have the opportunity to trace these hopeful steps amidst a tragic disease.

Will You Hear My Voice…
Dual Audio-video projection

Often during the progression of Alzheimer’s and dementia, individuals lose the ability to speak. It is at that point their family and caregivers become their voice, their advocate. In this video projection caregivers illuminate their loved one through personal stories and moments from their life. These stories represent both the oral history of there loved one’s life and their relationship to their caregiver, wife, husband, son or daughter. This project is sighted to project half of the caregivers face on one side of the wall’s corner and the person with the disease on the other side. These stories are a living testament to the rich history and loving support these families have for their family member. Ultimately, they want you to know that the person they have known and loved is still there.

Will You Read My Mind…
Reused cabinets and boxes, photographs, mementos, collage, photo-transfer

Four participating caregivers have altered an old antique cabinet-like structure with images, objects, mementoes that represent the life of their loved one afflicted with dementia/Alzheimer’s disease. At times images and writings were directly used but very unique photo transfer process was used to embed images to the various surfaces. This was an opportunity for them to create a metaphorical portrait of their loved one, telling their life. They explored their relationship with their loved one as young child to the early years of newly weds. It is not merely a nostalgic grouping of memories but a deep exploration of those things that tell the life story of there loved one. These cabinets and boxes challenged the caregivers to move beyond just the factual recounting of their mother, father, husband and wife lives. Throughout this labor-intensive project they unceasingly showed commitment, perseverance and a willingness to follow my lead. These are the same attributes they put into the caring of their loved one. We invite you to investigate these cabinets and boxes with a careful eye and careful touch.