Preserved Memories
Special Installation Project to honor those dealing with memory loss
– Dr. Betty Ann Brown, art historian, critic and curator
California artist Aazam Irilian has always dealt with time and memory in her artworks. Over the last several years, she cared for her beloved husband as he suffered from dementia. When he went into board and care, she transitioned from lyrical abstract paintings to installation work honoring people devastated by dementia. Irilian’s “Preserved Memories” installation presents the stories of individuals with dementia, giving them voices through the presentation of the objects and images that meant so much to them.
Preserved Memories I Exhibition Shot
Preserved Memories I Exhibition Shot
Preserved Memories: Fading Portraits I Exhibition Shot
Preserved Memories: Fading Portraits I Exhibition Shot
Preserved Memories: Fading Portraits I Exhibition Shot
Preserved Memories: Sculptural Assemblage I Soccer Player
Preserved Memories: Sculptural Assemblage I Soccer Player
Preserved Memories: Sculptural Assemblage I Fashionista
Preserved Memories: Sculptural Assemblage I Prayer
Preserved Memories: Sculptural Assemblage I prayer, detail
Preserved Memories: Sculptural Assemblage I Teatime
Preserved Memories: Sculptural Assemblage I Teatime, detail
Preserved Memories: Sculptural Assemblage I Wedding Bell
Preserved Memories: Sculptural Assemblage I Wedding Bell, detail
Artist Statement
Memories are precious so we try to hold on to them for as long as we can. Memories become even more precious when a disease robs the individual of their memories. Alzheimer’s dementia tears the individual’s fabric of being—carving into and killing brain cells. By 2050, the number of people 65 and older with Alzheimer’s is estimated to grow from 6.5 million to a projected 12.7 million (alz.org).
Preserving our memories is essential to our well-being. For those who are battling this irreversible disease, it becomes our responsibilities to preserve memories for ourselves and our loved ones. It is also important for us to bring attention to this disease, to educate and inform others. As a wife of an individual suffering from Alzheimer’s I take this responsibility very seriously.
Preserved Memories is a special installation project in honor of my husband and all those suffering Alzheimer’s dementia. As an artist I do not limit myself to one medium. It is the concept that guides the creation process and the medium used. Preserved Memories is comprised of drawings, assemblage sculptures, family photographs and recorded stories of shared experiences.
The installation includes drawings of stylized figures filled with brain cells on panels of Pelon fabric represent the inner changes that the individual goes through. Altered family photographs demonstrate the individual fading away from our lives. Sculptural assemblages of personal and meaningful belongings tell stories of family members that have lost their memories. Recorded stories told by loved ones share precious memories that they will hold dear for the rest of their lives. Visitors are welcome to share new stories in writing that will become part of future exhibitions.