Archiving the Unarchivable

Presented at the RISD Textiles Biennial 2023, “The Unarchivable” is an ode to physical and material memory. Objects associated with memory often tell the story of a person’s lived experiences. This “blanket” is intended to protect, remind, and relive the memories of a person who may be out of material reach. By proposing a world where tangible objects are archived rather than intangible pixels, “The Unarchivable” challenges the perishability of memory and provides the wearer with a chance to “wear a person.” It serves as a security blanket, a symbol of identity, and an addition to one’s daily closet, offering the wearer/viewer a way to channel loss and grief in positive and healthy ways.