Research Week: Day 3...objects and their significance

When we walk through the homes of others or even look at how people dress and adorn themselves, do we ever stop to wonder why people make things look the way they are or people dress the way they do?  Do we wonder why a person has a funny statue in the corner, or always wears a certain ring? Is it just because they like the look of something or is there some significance to it?

Today, in class we were required to each bring in an item that meant something to us.  Then we anonymously laid out item out, and went about describing each others objects and what we thought they meant to whoever was the owner, what they meant to us, and what they said about society.  It was our introduction into material culture, but it was interesting to see how some one saw the teddy bear I brought in, as representing childhood and comfort, when i saw it more a reminder of my boyfriend because we made it together before I left.  It was also interesting how one girl had a pretty ordinary looking cameo brooch, but it was something that her grandmother cherished and so she cherished it as a connection to her grandmother, or even how to one girl an owl plate see to represent that she was following a destined path, and things were meant to be a certain way. :).  

When we look at objects and things that we see, its hard to think in passing, when you are not at a museum, that many of these things that people display and keep around them all have significant meanings, that a funny little statue is a reminder of a group of friends and not just a decoration.  Objects can take on so many meanings that are beyond what we can guess by merely looking at them, meaning we can only know when we ask the owner.  We many see something as eclectic or cute, but it may actually have a much deeper meaning, and really tell a story about someone.  

Today's class was a learning experience, in the fact that we need to think deeper when looking at objects, what they are made for is not necessarily the only thing that they are used for.  Also, I think today showed that it was important to really get to know someone or something before passing judgement or at least deciding that you have a full understanding of it, because there always seem to be a deeper layer below the physical characteristics.