'Tracing Back' is an exploration of the idea of national identity and how tracing back one’s family history of migration, or in many cases, lack of migration, could impact one's sense of belonging or displacement. In this two-component piece I intertwine a personal narrative with academic research to understand how the 3-way dynamic relationship between geography, culture, and history informs one’s both individual and national identity. I question the idea that borders can create a community and hence a national consciousness, as, contradictory, borders often cut across communities and 'clan' identities and so have long-term, historical effects and consequences.
By collecting stories from my own family and those of my friends, it made me wonder whether there is a subconscious correlation between a past memory of displacement that is continued down the generations due to history of migration.
This was evidenced by stories from those that grew up with families that have a strong bond to the countries they are from and have not moved away for multiple generations, seem to bring up children that identify with the culture of their place of birth. However, those that have a rich history of migration or belong to multiple cultures, seem to struggle to pin-point where or what culture they belong to “most”.
4 Embroidered sheets, hanging from the ceiling, with the countries that are part of my family's history and heritage. Strings connect from each relevant town, connecting where someone had come from and moved to. White strings came out of the sheets with pieces of paper hung from them. They symbolise the audience's part in my history, allowing them to share where they trace themselves back to.
Full audio track of my family talking about our heritage and history, played during the exhibition:
ORIGINAL TEXT:
translated TEXT:
Grandma:
Раждам се 35-та година в Румънско. Живеехме в една къща, така бяха стаите от една-друга се влизаше, баба ми, дядо ми… Нямахме ток, ползваха газени лампи.
Раждам се 35-та година в Румънско. Живеехме в една къща, така бяха стаите от една-друга се влизаше, баба ми, дядо ми… Нямахме ток, ползваха газени лампи.
Grandma:
I was born in 1935 in Romania. We lived in a house, the rooms would lead into one another, with my grandma and grandpa. We didn’t have any electricity, we used gas lamps.
I was born in 1935 in Romania. We lived in a house, the rooms would lead into one another, with my grandma and grandpa. We didn’t have any electricity, we used gas lamps.
Dad:
Роден е 1926-та година, а пък неговия баща, Александър, се е оженил на 40 години. Значи, смятай, 26-та година се е родил дядо ти Кольо, 25-та година моя чичо Павел, значи тогава е бил на 42 моя дядо, значи е роден някъде 1880-та, някъде там се падаше.
Роден е 1926-та година, а пък неговия баща, Александър, се е оженил на 40 години. Значи, смятай, 26-та година се е родил дядо ти Кольо, 25-та година моя чичо Павел, значи тогава е бил на 42 моя дядо, значи е роден някъде 1880-та, някъде там се падаше.
Dad:
He was born in 1926, while his dad, Aleksander, got married when he was 40-years-old. Which means, if your grandpa Kolio was born in 1926, 1925 was my uncle Pavel, then that means my grandpa was around 42-years-old, then he must have been born some time in the 1880s.
He was born in 1926, while his dad, Aleksander, got married when he was 40-years-old. Which means, if your grandpa Kolio was born in 1926, 1925 was my uncle Pavel, then that means my grandpa was around 42-years-old, then he must have been born some time in the 1880s.
Mum:
Тя е пък за Македония е Северозападна Гърция, там е Македония, района, а другото си е в самата Македония. Да, те са македонци, обаче те са живяли в Солун, те нямат отношение към Република Северна Македония.
Тя е пък за Македония е Северозападна Гърция, там е Македония, района, а другото си е в самата Македония. Да, те са македонци, обаче те са живяли в Солун, те нямат отношение към Република Северна Македония.
Mum:
For Macedonia it is North West Greece, that region, while the other one is actual Macedonia. Yes, they are Macedonian, but they lived in Thessaloniki, they had no relation to the Republic of North Macedonia.
For Macedonia it is North West Greece, that region, while the other one is actual Macedonia. Yes, they are Macedonian, but they lived in Thessaloniki, they had no relation to the Republic of North Macedonia.
Sister:
I don’t spend too much time thinking about it… Basically, my heritage is me, who I am is my heritage and that’s because of who I am, the child will have the same kind of heritage because I would have been shaped by the experiences that I cherish and I value.
I don’t spend too much time thinking about it… Basically, my heritage is me, who I am is my heritage and that’s because of who I am, the child will have the same kind of heritage because I would have been shaped by the experiences that I cherish and I value.
Sister:
Не прекарвам много време в мисли за това… Просто казано, аз съм моите родствени корени и заради това, което съм, детето ще има същите корени, защото аз съм оформена от изживяванията, които пазя и ценя.
Не прекарвам много време в мисли за това… Просто казано, аз съм моите родствени корени и заради това, което съм, детето ще има същите корени, защото аз съм оформена от изживяванията, които пазя и ценя.