Meaning of identity, personal history, childhood and place: How do different forms of memory affect the way we process and tell stories?

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Volume Title

School of Arts, Design and Architecture | Master's thesis
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Authors

Date

2023

Department

artmed

Major/Subject

Mcode

Degree programme

Master’s Programme in Visual Cultures, Curating and Contemporary Art

Language

en

Pages

40

Series

Abstract

This thesis discusses various forms of memory and how we use memory to tell stories. This thesis discusses why certain forms of memory occur and how they are used and useful to use in our experience of memory and storytelling. We tell stories using memory as the foundation for creation and this thesis reiterates how that works. Autoethnography is used as the qualitative research method as memory work and storytelling are personal and subjective areas of discussion. This thesis draws on various forms of fictive literature and cinema as examples of ways in which memory has been used to tell personal stories. This thesis contains personal vignettes called ‘memory stories’ which are reflections on important places, people, and times in my life while living abroad. Furthermore, the memory stories reinforce the themes of each chapter’s discussion on forms of memory and how they are processed and could be used for storytelling. This thesis discusses what collecting memory looks like, place as a foundation for storytelling, and how words hold the power to transform. Furthermore, this thesis discusses how recalling comforting memory can aid in times of hardship. Storytelling via nostalgia is discussed as a positive emotion and a healthy mode of healing. Subsequently, the understanding of how memory lies in the body is drawn out, and how traumatic memory affects memory recall. Using storytelling by means of intentionally sharing our experiences is an effective healing practice and can guide us to a better understanding of memory. Overall, this thesis provides insight into how we can use storytelling as a process of healing via memory.

Description

Supervisor

Davis, Lucy

Thesis advisor

Davis, Lucy

Keywords

autoethnography, collecting memory, embodied memory, storytelling, nostalgia, healing practices, short stories, film

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Citation

Permanent link to this item

https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:aalto-202306254233

Collections

[master] Taiteiden ja suunnittelun korkeakoulu / ARTS