Memory vs. Storage

Attended an interesting lecture given by Kevin Slavin of Area/Code.

Slavin outlined a number of works that involved human information transfer—in terms of both memory and storage—and established a bright line between the two. Objects dealing with memory mirror the humanity of impermanence, blur, forgetting, accesibility, and the distortion of truth. A number of interesting examples included a maleable obelisk erected as a Holocaust memorial in Harburg, Germany (designed by Jochen Gerz and Esther Shalev-Gerz). Towns-people were invited to scratch into the surface of the 8 story monument, as it sunk into the ground. The design of this structure perfectly exemplifies Slavin's thoughts on correct memorialization of a concept—in stark contrast to the more prevelant monoliths that offer a 'false sense of continuity.'

Our culture is obsessed with documentation. Slaven argues against this, bashing blogs, and heralding forgetfulness. I dissagree with his sentiments. There is nothing inherently wrong with hyper-documentation, as there is no real objectification. Documentation offers a narrative perspective on an event—not an innacesible, forboding demon of forceful truth.