The arts, and in particular, the process of a shared art making experience, have the potential to engage a community in a very profound way. The collective, collaborative artistic response has the potential to foster a dialogue that may not have previously occurred. Participation in the creation of Remembrance encourages discussions of beliefs, perceptions and observations, as these concepts relate to loss, memory, and war.

Remembrance is unique in its ability to allow the participant to become both creator and observer. The individual first fashions the abstract figurative sculpture to represent the fallen soldier in community with others. The figure is then joined with the communal sculpture and becomes part of the gestalt of Remembrance. The Individual then becomes the viewer if he chooses to re-visit the experience of creation when confronted by the collective mass of figures: he then may seek out "his person", reflect on the moments of his experience, and share them with others.

In this way Remembrance may alter the human condition of isolation. The creator/observer is presented with the opportunity to transcend his personal experience of loss and link them with the combined efforts of others. The fallen service member is initially remembered and continues to be reflected upon as more people share in this collaborative artistic endeavor.

Merilee Bowers conceived and implemented Remembrance at Somerset High School where she teaches in the Art Department. She earned her BFA Sculpture from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Dartmouth Massachusetts, and a Masters in Expressive Art Therapy from Lesley University, Cambridge MA .

 


Remembrance Memorial at the Fall River Post Office, Bedford Street, Fall River, MA