Lost Memory in Matter
About the project
The collaborative project "Lost Memory in Matter + Behavioral Complexity" is part of the Artist + Researcher (ARx1) exhibition at the Phoenix Bioscience Core, pairing ceramic artist Susan Beiner with Dr. David Coon, a professor and associate dean at Arizona State University's Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation who researches interventions for dementia patients. The project aims to translate complex scientific research into a tangible, visual experience for the community, using art as a medium to communicate the realities of living with dementia and the approaches to managing the condition. The artworks are linked by the insights gained from discussions about Dr. Coon's research process and patient needs, bridging the gap between clinical science and human experience.
Lost Memory in Matter
Medium: 14” x 8” x 14” and 3” x 18” x 15”, porcelain with steel mount.
Retail cost: $3,000
Behavioral Complexity
Medium: 17” x 25” x 7.5”, porcelain, powder coated aluminum. Retail cost: $3,000
Behind the work
The project comprises two abstract ceramic pieces: "Lost Memory in Matter" and "Behavioral Complexity". "Lost Memory in Matter" is an abstracted form representing the mind and the thoughts, memories, and ideas it holds. Beiner utilized layering to visually present repetitive behavioral modifications used to help patients achieve balance as their world perception shrinks, which can otherwise cause significant stress. The artwork uses various green hues, reportedly the last color visible to dementia patients, to increase visual attention. "Behavioral Complexity" serves as a framework where patient responses and behaviors capture memories. This piece builds on the idea that building skills helps manage the situation and create a safe space for dialogue, with the negative space in the artwork representing this essential grounding of reality for individuals with dementia.
