I Collect
2024
Originally a part of a smaller artwork of the same name, I Collect is an evolving piece that grows as viewers answer the questions “What do you collect?” and “Why do you collect it?” After writing their responses to these questions on tags, participants hang them up on the pegboards included in the display. Over the run of an exhibit, the pegboards fill up with community stories for the viewers to read.
I Collect has been displayed in various exhibitions, including at the Douglas County Historical Society where we included pegboards for folks to hang tags that answer a new prompt: “What should the museum collect and why?”
I Collect consists of a secretary desk, chair and pegboards that hold the tags, occupying around eight square feet. This can vary depending on the space and means for installation
Photos above, clockwise from top left: At the start of the (Re)Collect exhibit at Pablo Center at the Confluence, 2024; Looking through the pegboards to other artworks in (Re)Collect at Watermark Art Center, 2024; Close up of a response to What do you Collect?; Looking through tags from Inventory at Pablo Center; The added question at Douglas County Historical Museum of what the museum should collect; More filled-out tags; The close of the exhibit at Pablo Center; A participant filling out their tags at Douglas County Historical Museum