Things I’ve been thinking about:
Entanglement. Two things are related but their meaning is unknown — they exist in a free-floating state. Meaning slides between states — in fact, the two things exist in a kind of simultaneity. But as soon as one meaning is fixed (as it’s observed), the other also becomes fixed, even if it isn’t observed. The dual states collapse and the linked relationship is determined.
The relic. Assignment of power and meaning based on nothing but story. Fabricated meaning. Investing meaning in a “thing” and creating aura out of nothing. Needing to see (or touch) something out of reach as a way to access pure meaning (faith). The religious relic is really a fetish, isn’t it? Putting the flesh and bodily fluid (of Christ) into your mouth. What kind of repressed desire hides behind this?
Anamnesis. Remembering something that was previously known, but forgotten. A kind of meaning that the soul recognizes from previous knowledge. At the last supper: “Do this in memory of me.”
For me, these three concepts tell the story of this place. They set the stage for conjuring meaning in Rome.
Today’s question: what to make? I’ve created a lot of images here, lots of thinking, words, ideas. Related to Rome, but expanding outward. What “thing” do I make from them? The images alone don’t suffice — they’re sort of floating between states. They’re like symbols or diagrams of ideas, and until they turn into something (paintings, objects) their flatness denies them power. One suggestion is to use one or two powerful images to tell a story (like Freud, Moses and the chains — that would be a great one). A severe edit.
Another approach would be to do the opposite: use every single artifact as evidence of an investigation and assemble everything into a gigantic collection. Leave nothing out. Turn every piece into a whole — a giant book of investigation. With the hope that an all-inclusive book of images and words would resonate on its own, without explanation.
Very different approaches. Whatever I do, I have to do it here in Rome, before I leave.