Ellia Hamabuchi
TO STAY? OR TO GO?
Prompt: Consider the interaction between text, image, and form to produce an artist book or zine in relation to their narratives (via writing) in Int. Seminar with the Bridge theme, “Memoir.” Use various papers, photocopies, stamps, found materials, drawings, collages, links/QR codes, etc. The book/zine can incorporate analog media, digital media, or a mix of both.
My parents often worked late at the office. If they came home early, they’d continue to work at their desks throughout the night. “To Stay? Or To Go?” encapsulates memories of eating at the dining table by myself while my mother ate at her desk and my father stayed late in New York at the office.
Inspired by a cookbook made from home, my book shares a story on each page, accompanied by an illustration and recipe to replicate at home. The overall quality of the piece is “shabby” in a purposeful but incidental manner, reflective of the urge to create something perfect to communicate a feeling while being limited by resources and time. While my parents felt horrible to leave me alone at the dining table, they knew they were sacrificing family meals to give their children a promising future. While I always felt lonely with my laptop and iPad playing YouTube as my only company, I’d never be more grateful for my parents’ sacrifices to their mental and physical health for my benefit and their American Dream that came with a hefty price.
Thank you, Leigh, for supporting me throughout the semester and helping me realize the potential of my concepts and ideas!