One of the research methods that was introduced to us in our research seminar course is called “The Love Letter and the Breakup Letter.” The idea is that the exercise of writing such a letter to an object lends itself to unique insight about one’s relationship with the letter’s subject — that it can inform the reader of an emotional and complex set of information about that object. It holds the potential to reveal how such objects connect with the human world (and humans themselves) even if it is inanimate, or man-made.
This concept really compelled me — the action of sitting down to write down how you feel about an object or a project, being honest in its strengths and its flaws. I wanted to do it. I thought about bringing in friends, to ask them to write such a letter to an object in their life, one of love or one saying goodbye. Instead, I decided to use this opportunity to reflect on the semester. I needed to confront my feelings about these exercises, as trying as they were at times.
As there have been nine actions that have preceded this point, nine letters were written.
Next I folded them as carefully and deliberately as they were written, and sealed them as I do all of my written letters — with a wax seal and stamp gifted to me by my mother nearly ten years ago. I used red wax for love, black for break up, and gold for somewhere in between I suppose.
Taking the time to do this was very much deliberate. These actions informed me and affected my life these past few months. I owe them respect and reflection.
Now they’re here, scanned, immortalized on the screen, and inked on paper, a part of both my virtual and physical studio. I hope to take these lessons forward, I certainly saw the connections between actions that meant more to me than others. Actions where I ended with a physical object and actions where I tried something new, gave me more satisfaction and confidence. In this I know how to anchor my actions moving forward, and for that I am grateful.
