Visual Arts Blog: Response on collections -- Reanne

As we discussed in class, people collect various things for various reasons. Having a collection of certain things can serve as a way to preserve memories, to protect family heirlooms, or to make a profit some day. Those are just a few examples of the numerous reasons that people have collections.
Popular objects for collection are rocks and stones, coins, stuffed animals, baseball cards, movies, CDs, paintings, figurines, photographs, etc… An individual really can have a collection of anything that they value and appreciate.

As a young child, I used to collect gems and crystals from different places that I traveled. This included both rocks that I found and ones that I bought in a shop. I kept them in a clear plastic box on display because I liked their shapes and shininess. I donated them to my church when I was about 14 years old, since we were moving and I was trying to consolidate and grow up.

More recently, in terms of collections, I guess I could say that I collect DVDs and CDs (original and mixed/burnt) since I have so many. But this isn’t a collection that holds any special meaning to me. I do, however, have about ten photo albums, two scrap books, and a huge box filled with all of the pictures I’ve ever taken. These pictures include old family photos, vacation pictures, scenery, friends, etc… My picture collection does mean a lot to me in the sense that every photograph has a different memory—each picture reminds me of a certain person, a particular event, a special moment in my history. Vacation pictures, for example, remind me of the fun experiences I’ve shared with my parents over the years. Old family photos remind me of where I came from, and allow me to see the people I’ve never met or who I have lost. There is always a story behind each photo, and it is worth remembering whether I personally recall the story, or if someone explains it to me from their point of view.