Friday, June 5, 2009

Perpetual de-accessioning machine

The recent de-accessioning has taken on a life of its own!

I find that I get almost the same thrill finding a new home for my things as I did in their initial acquirement.

I composed a list of things that went out my door the last few evenings...

* locker
* piano stool
* stainless steel shelf unit
* ostrich egg
* steer pelvis
* Framed 19th century photographs of Cairo scenes
* A direct current medical quackery device I forgot I owned
* beaded purse from the 30s
* collection of late 19th/early 20th century items using Orientalism to market products
* Day of the Dead mask
* side table
* mirror
* bow (no arrows)
* random bits and pieces I can't recall

I tried to get my friend to take my rugs, but alas, he is limited by space - I suppose it's good - they could be laid about to make any dry bit of land a home. Draped over rope tied between two trees, it could make a lovely tent.

I hope to have another friend over soon to take more - we share a similar aesthetic and strong need for all things fossilized, magic carpets and a general appreciation of my Wunderkammer.

Someone asked me about this process - the why and wherefores, and I described it as an act of love to myself to release my bonds to so many of these things.

With each item removed, I feel I've sent a part of my old self out into the world and new piece regenerates in its place that is more reflective of who I am now. Each thing is like a mooring line and with each gifting, I come a little closer to freedom - I'm not sure what freedom means or holds, but it seems to be goal I'm actively working towards.

A bit of a grand statement, but quite true.

Last night I set out a mirror and a chalkboard - a woman got out of her car and asked if she could have them - each item she took urged me to bring down more - and she left with 2 mirrors, a table, a chair, a chalkboard and a box filled with this and that.

It's as if I'm giving the no-longer-necessary parts of me up for adoption, and am warmed when I feel they've found a loving home...

1 comment:

Beth said...

This is lovely Sarah. I love the thoughts of letting things go with love and freeing yourself.

Too bad most of "my" stuff is actually kid stuff and it's just a matter of waiting until they out-grow things (or until they are asleep) to purge the over abundance of toys we have in this house!

I long ago shed most sentimental to my stuff. I don't have a lot left to purge! I just wish my home reflected my vision of simplicity!