What's New Pussycat?...Connecting and communicating pre-PCs
I grew up in a time when the phone reached eight feet if one was lucky. We called our friends then hopped on our bikes, not home until the dinner bell rang or the streetlights came on. This piece pays homage to those childhoods spent in meaningful contact and connections, one that required effort, investment and emotion.
The media elements tell a story. The dress uses 35mm film negatives, land line phone cords, 2 vintage 1940s “cat” mascot patches, and my mom’s pendant watch.
The surrounding memories are:
My childhood dinner bell(1960’s) whose handle was chewed by the cat.
My grandmother’s guestbook diary (purchased in 1930, used in 1967) when she moved to a retirement community and recorded her visitors.
Postcards from 1950s Europe and other countries sent to my Mother-in-Law from various friends.
Business cards from businesses long closed. (1970-1990s)
Love letters between my now husband and myself while dating long distance. (early 1980s)
Recipes from deceased family and friends often traded after parties or given as shower gifts.
School pictures from my friends (1960s-70s) with messages on the back (except some boys).
Phone dial from my grandmother’s land line phone with the number still visible, toy bike and phone.
The media elements tell a story. The dress uses 35mm film negatives, land line phone cords, 2 vintage 1940s “cat” mascot patches, and my mom’s pendant watch.
The surrounding memories are:
My childhood dinner bell(1960’s) whose handle was chewed by the cat.
My grandmother’s guestbook diary (purchased in 1930, used in 1967) when she moved to a retirement community and recorded her visitors.
Postcards from 1950s Europe and other countries sent to my Mother-in-Law from various friends.
Business cards from businesses long closed. (1970-1990s)
Love letters between my now husband and myself while dating long distance. (early 1980s)
Recipes from deceased family and friends often traded after parties or given as shower gifts.
School pictures from my friends (1960s-70s) with messages on the back (except some boys).
Phone dial from my grandmother’s land line phone with the number still visible, toy bike and phone.