In this first of our six-part series, Jane interviews Gordon Coonfield, Professor of Communication at Villanova in Pennsylvania. His insights on “pop-up” urban memorials sparked a lively discussion.
Hi Jane and Gordon, fascinating conversation in the first of the 'Forget Me Not' memorials series. Many thoughts and question buzzing around since watching. Thanks for the information and insightful observations.
Many of the 'pop up' memorials I see are often roadside shrines following an accident. But I'm seeing more simple places of remembrance with no name. That makes me wonder who they are for? For instance, in my local park, I recently watched as a small group of people stood by a tree. When they left, I noticed a small white ceramic heart interwoven into the ivy, saying, 'Those we loved and lost remain in our hearts always.' No name. As Nancy mentioned in the chat, seeing a name brings empathy for people I don't know. I most always say 'thank you' to the names on benches I find a moment's rest. Does anyone else? Thanks again for the series and for being invited to be a part.
Gosh, @Peter Billingham, we're thrilled to have you BE a part of this series. Yes, Nancy's comment triggered a very interesting discussion. Thank you for tracking the conversation so closely.
I tend to think of it as that feeling as a tingle of humanity, a shared broken heart. They are feelings of empathy for a fellow traveler.
I'm reminded how when I would visit my family at home in Hawaii during the first gulf war, as an impromptu memorial grove grew right along the freeway. For each loss of a soldier, some unknown person would plant a small norfolk pine. Slowly the grove grew. Now decades later there's been a tradition of decorating the trees. (archives.starbulletin.com/2002/11/29/news/index7.html) For context, is an area of Oahu very near a major Marine base. Many of the soldiers going to the Gulf War would leave from training at that base, just as they had during the Viet Nam war. Fellow travelers indeed.
There is also something so important about "saying their names." The African American tradition as promoted as part of the Black Lives Matter campaign elevated that nationally in a way that made each loss feel less generic and more specific to a person. Today, names like George Floyd have become historic and much more human.
Oct 17Liked by Jane Hutcheon, Barbara at Projectkin
Thanks for this contribution to the conversation! One of the dangers of learning about the existence of diverse forms of memorializing by ordinary people is that you start noticing them all around you...
I always have noticed them. I only wish I had taken more photos of this when I worked in Gaza. I couldn't understand why people hadn't written about this phenomenon, hence my joy at finding out about your work. Please send me a link when the book is published!
Hi Jane and Gordon, fascinating conversation in the first of the 'Forget Me Not' memorials series. Many thoughts and question buzzing around since watching. Thanks for the information and insightful observations.
Many of the 'pop up' memorials I see are often roadside shrines following an accident. But I'm seeing more simple places of remembrance with no name. That makes me wonder who they are for? For instance, in my local park, I recently watched as a small group of people stood by a tree. When they left, I noticed a small white ceramic heart interwoven into the ivy, saying, 'Those we loved and lost remain in our hearts always.' No name. As Nancy mentioned in the chat, seeing a name brings empathy for people I don't know. I most always say 'thank you' to the names on benches I find a moment's rest. Does anyone else? Thanks again for the series and for being invited to be a part.
Gosh, @Peter Billingham, we're thrilled to have you BE a part of this series. Yes, Nancy's comment triggered a very interesting discussion. Thank you for tracking the conversation so closely.
I tend to think of it as that feeling as a tingle of humanity, a shared broken heart. They are feelings of empathy for a fellow traveler.
I'm reminded how when I would visit my family at home in Hawaii during the first gulf war, as an impromptu memorial grove grew right along the freeway. For each loss of a soldier, some unknown person would plant a small norfolk pine. Slowly the grove grew. Now decades later there's been a tradition of decorating the trees. (archives.starbulletin.com/2002/11/29/news/index7.html) For context, is an area of Oahu very near a major Marine base. Many of the soldiers going to the Gulf War would leave from training at that base, just as they had during the Viet Nam war. Fellow travelers indeed.
There is also something so important about "saying their names." The African American tradition as promoted as part of the Black Lives Matter campaign elevated that nationally in a way that made each loss feel less generic and more specific to a person. Today, names like George Floyd have become historic and much more human.
Thanks for this contribution to the conversation! One of the dangers of learning about the existence of diverse forms of memorializing by ordinary people is that you start noticing them all around you...
I always have noticed them. I only wish I had taken more photos of this when I worked in Gaza. I couldn't understand why people hadn't written about this phenomenon, hence my joy at finding out about your work. Please send me a link when the book is published!
Thanks so much for sharing this recording! I’d planned on attending but my granddaughters had different plans 😉💕 Will watch tonight yay
Eye-opening about something in plain sight. Everyone is loved by someone, right?
Exactly.