My work revolves around the notion that one should focus on the journey not the destination. This project has led me to explore souvenirs, physical objects that help people remember an event, person or place in fact anything that resonates with emotional meaning.
I have produced a poplin thermochromic beeswax tote bag that addresses the concept “souvenirs are perishable, fortunately memories aren’t”. Yet if “souvenirs” translate as memories, souvenirs aren’t perishable.
Tourists can mould the imprint of a souvenir just using the warmth of their hands so the bag retains the shape until the next time, the next part of the journey. Emphasis on the moulding action embodies the idea of souvenirs as permanent objects whilst the thermochromic colour changing feature of the bag suggests memories might only live temporarily and can be forgotten. Yet, although the colour will fade, the outline of the souvenir once imprinted will have creased the bag, forever embedded into the texture of the bag, therefore souvenirs are permanent and will continue to keep the memory alive.
In effect, the bag epitomises the contradiction that memory of one part of the journey at once makes way for the next memory of the ongoing journey whilst becoming an intrinsic part of that journey.
A souvenir is evidence of your personal journey, simultaneously perishable and permanent.
Above is how I made my final outcome. Dyeing it in the thermochromic pigment, applying the thermochromic beeswax and drying it, sewing the bag together and finally wearing it.