Biography of My Life from Memory
Oliver Moon
Throughout my creative and educational career, one theme has remained consistent in my work: archive. An individual’s relationship with their archives reveals a portrait of who they are. What do they choose to preserve? How do they choose to do so? Ultimately, an archive reflects what one's soul deems most essential to the memory of their existence.
Born from a compulsive need to document and a deep devotion to archival practices, this project explores the intersection of family and personal archives. The first book weaves together the autobiographical writings of my great-grandfather with images from an extensive family photo archive spanning decades. It paints a vivid picture of a life shaped by genocide and displacement, serving as a testament to the struggles and resilience of Assyrians worldwide. Through my family’s personal experience, it tells the broader story of the modern Assyrian American.
The second book, created within the same physical constraints, juxtaposes these historical narratives with images from my personal photo archive taken over the past year. It illustrates how one generation’s struggles lay the foundation for the joy of the next, forming a dialogue between past and present.