Memory Vessels, 2019

Memory is at the root of our existence as life forms on this planet. The earth remembers its rhythms season after season, animals remember their ancestral homes with every yearly migration, and our species carries memories throughout centuries with generational inheritance, physical and metaphysical alike. These may come in the form of oral tradition, written word, or the passing on of heirlooms. Our species is not special in the sharing of memories, only the ways in which we do it. Our species, however, is unique in that we are rapidly eradicating other species from the planet we all share. Our habits are responsible for the record number of extinctions that have already happened, and those to come.

“Memory Vessels” seek to preserve the lives of endangered bird species that may not exist in the near future. These vessels are created by taking the bird call of a critically endangered bird species and transforming that sound into a visual representation, and generated into a 3D model printed in porcelain.

With the transformation of bird songs into three-dimensional physical objects, “Memory Vessels” aims to seal the essence of endangered birds into clay as their own heirlooms to be absorbed into humankind’s generational memory sharing.

These vessels are created by generating a 3D model out of audio visualizations of endangered bird species bird songs. The models are then printed on a ceramic 3D printer and attached to a wheel thrown base.

Memory Vessels have been featured in CADAF Online 2020, re.riddle gallery’s project Falling Up as part of the Ars Electronica Fesitval 2020, and the 2020 Intersect Chicago virtual art fair.