Preserved Memories
Special Installation Project to honor those dealing with memory loss
– Dr. Betty Ann Brown, art historian, critic and curator
California artist Aazam Irilian has always dealt with time and memory in her artworks. Over the last several years, she cared for her beloved husband as he suffered from dementia. When he went into board and care, she transitioned from lyrical abstract paintings to installation work honoring people devastated by dementia. Irilian’s “Preserved Memories” installation presents the stories of individuals with dementia, giving them voices through the presentation of the objects and images that meant so much to them.
Preserved Memories I Exhibition Shot
Preserved Memories I Exhibition Shot
Preserved Memories: Fading Portraits I Exhibition Shot
Preserved Memories: Fading Portraits I Exhibition Shot
Preserved Memories: Fading Portraits I Exhibition Shot
Preserved Memories: Sculptural Assemblage I Soccer Player
Preserved Memories: Sculptural Assemblage I Soccer Player
Preserved Memories: Sculptural Assemblage I Fashionista
Preserved Memories: Sculptural Assemblage I Prayer
Preserved Memories: Sculptural Assemblage I prayer, detail
Preserved Memories: Sculptural Assemblage I Teatime
Preserved Memories: Sculptural Assemblage I Teatime, detail
Preserved Memories: Sculptural Assemblage I Wedding Bell
Preserved Memories: Sculptural Assemblage I Wedding Bell, detail
TeaTime
“My mom and I used to treasure hunt at local antique shops and secondhand stores. During one of our expeditions, she saw this teacup and saucer sitting on a doily. She was also a fan of afternoon teas accompanied with biscuits and would not miss a day. After, getting to the later stages of her memory loss, although she needed to be fed, she still remembered the teacup and would not drink out of any other cup except her favorite teacup.”
Soccer Player
“My husband was always active—one who would hardly sit still even when there was nothing to do—he would always found something to keep him busy. Soccer was his passion from early age, as player, coach and then a referee. As his dementia progressed, while he could still walk, he was able to maneuver a soccer ball with ease. As his dementia took hold, to keep him occupied and entertained, we would drive to the local park, watching kids and adults playing soccer. Although, at the later stage, his verbal communication, memory and physical abilities diminished, his facial expression when watching a soccer would tell the whole story.”
Wedding Bells
“Growing up we always heard my parents tell stories about how they met, fell in love and got married. They were married for close to fifty years when they both got diagnosed with dementia. Although, the disease progressed differently for each of them, one thing stayed constant. They both continued sharing stories of their meeting and eventually getting married. We started showing them pictures of their early days together—their wedding day pictures were the ones that always would light up their eyes.“
Stories Told
Prayer
My dad was a really Godly individual his prayer beads are always by his side and he was never one to judge her or preach to anyone. He never imposes the least on anyone. He really respected everybody and believe that everybody had their own way to connect to God. Everyday, he would sit and he would always send his prayer rug and he would perform his memos and afterwards he was used his prayer beads to pray and send good wishes to everybody. He thought might need some sort of Prayer. As a dementia progressed his time at the prayer rug was really difficult and he couldn't remember the words as easily. But still towards the end even though he couldn't sit there. He would still hold the prayer bees in his hand and somehow still go through the motion.”
Fashionista
“My mother was the class favorite homecoming queen and the leader of every group. She was ever a part of She was fun fun. And everyone loved her. The only monkey on her back was her weight. She was chubby even in grade school and throughout her life. This never changed it really bothered her. In her '80s Parkinson's Parkinson's disease and dementia caused her to lose 40 to 50 pounds in robbed her of her ability to communicate her friends would come and visit and go on and on about how much weight she had lost. One friend asked what it was like being so thin and her answer was priceless. ‘Overrated’ she said.”
Artist Statement
Memories are precious so we try to hold on to them for as long as we can. Memories become even more precious when a disease robs the individual of their memories. Alzheimer’s dementia tears the individual’s fabric of being—carving into and killing brain cells. By 2050, the number of people 65 and older with Alzheimer’s is estimated to grow from 6.5 million to a projected 12.7 million (alz.org).
Preserving our memories is essential to our well-being. For those who are battling this irreversible disease, it becomes our responsibilities to preserve memories for ourselves and our loved ones. It is also important for us to bring attention to this disease, to educate and inform others. As a wife of an individual suffering from Alzheimer’s I take this responsibility very seriously.
Preserved Memories is a special installation project in honor of my husband and all those suffering Alzheimer’s dementia. As an artist I do not limit myself to one medium. It is the concept that guides the creation process and the medium used. Preserved Memories is comprised of drawings, assemblage sculptures, family photographs and recorded stories of shared experiences.
The installation includes drawings of stylized figures filled with brain cells on panels of Pelon fabric represent the inner changes that the individual goes through. Altered family photographs demonstrate the individual fading away from our lives. Sculptural assemblages of personal and meaningful belongings tell stories of family members that have lost their memories. Recorded stories told by loved ones share precious memories that they will hold dear for the rest of their lives. Visitors are welcome to share new stories in writing that will become part of future exhibitions.