Repository of Collective Memory

Inspired by the art selection committee’s statement to create artwork reflecting “the role of the Archives as a repository of collective memory,” I explored how information is stored and transformed, both in physical shelving and the evolving digital systems. I also considered how humans selectively store and reinterpret memories, transforming them into richer, more colorful recollections.

The installation’s dichroic glass fragments represent the dispersal and reorganization of information. Each piece, inspired by the three-dimensional outline of a storage box, appears to float freely through the foyer, projecting colored patterns that shift with the movement of daylight from the skylight. The etched patterns on the glass reference the original architectural drawings of Utah’s State Capitol, safely preserved in the archives.

By combining material, light, and form, the work creates an ever-changing visual experience for visitors and archivists alike, embodying the transformation and vibrancy of collective memory.