Exercise 01-Reflections

Reflections: Notes from Readings:

The Dragon And The Tartar Lamb

Since people did not know about species and subjects they collected them for research. The wealthy were able to collect beautiful items and keep them. People were interested in learning and gaining more knowledge by collecting and documenting.

History of discovery / created encyclopedia of nature / wealth and power collecting items / pastime / emotional attachment, connection / collected not for beauty but for being strange and incomprehensible / knowledge / time and resources-commerce / Travel collections

Collections Of Nothing

When I think of collections I never saw it in the perspective of people or family as the author did.  Everyday interactions, habits, fears, excitement, and memories by people are all physical collections.

Hoarding not a hobby / establishing household as a collection /

Exercise 01

Define the word “collection”

In an obvious sense, collection simply means a group of objects or an amount of material accumulated in one location.  It also is items that can be given value from wealth and beauty, to personal, to meaningless items.  In another view, it can take on a personal human connection like habits, household items, friends, family etc. 

Based on the readings, what are some of the reasons that people might collect?

Some people collect for investment or pure pleasure and enjoyment. Some collect to expand their social lives, and attend social events with people who have the same mind-sets. Others collect to preserve the past and learn history-knowledge.

What is the relationship between income/ money and collecting, both past and present?

In past and present with the first reading, it talked about class and economic status with the collections. It also becomes a showcase of wealth, property, travels, expenses, personal attachments, and achievements.  By having the resources collectors will do what is needed to get the items. In the present day many collectors and every day people take pride in collecting useless items that have little to no value also making it more affordable.  Wealthier people can afford to collect beautiful and valuable things.

Have you (or a friend or family member) ever collected anything? If so, what was it? Why did you (or they) do it?

I have collected many things throughout my life. As a child, I collected things to be cool and fit in or other times be different and stand out. My main collection was of coins. Family members, friends and my own determination made my collection grow with a gift or Christmas present of a coin. I love to travel and hope to see the world. I loved the different weights, colors, sizes, sayings, engravings, and textures to all the different coins that were from all over the world. I also went through a phase of collecting general sports cards. From basketball, baseball, football and soccer I just liked looking at them and collected them not even knowing who some of the players were. I liked the tactile feel of interacting with them and reading there lives and experience in sports on a small card.