Collecting Memories is a lyrical exploration into the mind of a collector, delving into nostalgia, identity, and seeking to reveal how we all embed personal memories into pop culture objects.
This art installation creates an imagistic representations of the ‘mind of the collector’ while providing opportunities for reflection. Stephen Rueff created an interactive and immersive display of objects, text and sound design.
The installation features David Barnhill‘s vintage toys, as well as family photos and recordings as source materials. In addition to the vintage toys are vintage packaging and excerpts from film trailers and television commercials, all of which provide pathways for attendees to travel to the nostalgic past. Touch free interactive elements allow attendees to record and share their own memories that they have embedded into pop culture objects.
An intimate sound design by Emmy Carter surrounds displays with waves of sounds, vintage television commercials, film trailers, and recordings from the Barnhill family.
The objects displayed are all from Minnesota-based David Barnhill, who has amassed a collection of popular culture artifacts estimated at over 200,000 toys, games, books, posters, media and more. Inherent in his collection is a specific point of view – a fascination with monsters, superheroes, villains, explorers, space, and robots. Taken together, these objects are signifiers of American culture as it has evolved over the past 80 years.
David Barnhill began collecting in dime stores with his mother June, in the early 1960s. David bonded with his father Gil through their shared passion for the superheroes and monster toys they assembled and painted together.
This exhibition presents objects from pop culture as a means of triggering nostalgia with the goal of engendering a deeper understanding of collecting, collective and individual memory and personal identity. This exhibit is ideal for cultural institutions with smaller spaces and budgets.
EXHIBITION DETAILS
Collecting Memories: A Love Story includes:
CONTENTS:
- 100 vintage toys, figures, models, games and packaging from the 1960’s to the present
- (36) Talking tiles for collecting memories
- An archway with integrated objects, lighting and sound
- Media file containing a short film by Gilbert Barnhill (monitors not included)
- Didactics providing an exhibit overview
- Venue will receive a sample press release and press photos, registrar’s packet, object label files, and installation instructions
- Venue will provide:
- (5) pedestals with vitrine covers
- (2) locking display cases with tempered glass
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- SPACE REQUIREMENTS: 750 – 1,500 square feet and a minimum 50 running feet wall space
- FEE: The exhibition fee is $16,000 for 12 weeks, plus shipping and insurance
- SHIPPING: Common Carrier; (2) 42″ x 52″ pallets, each weighing less than 500 pounds
- INSURANCE: $50,000 coverage required in transit and on location
MERCHANDISE: Merchandise is provided upon request with the proceeds split with the venue. Unsold items are returned to SuperMonster市City! at no cost to the venue.