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This
collection represents the recovery of artifacts from the area
surrounding the Arch at the entrance to the University of
Georgia at the intersection of College and Broad Street. Organized
into fourteen containers, the materials are most readily classified
according to physical type.
By
volume, the largest series in the assemblage is the assortment
of candles and various forms of candleholders. The candles
themselves vary in color and size, though white candles are
a clear majority by volume. Red and blue candles are substantially
less plentiful, with a handful in such different hues as green,
purple, gold, orange, and multicolored. Though most candleholders
are made of glass, they also come in various metal iterations.
There is a small collection of votive candles, both inside
of decorated bags, and freestanding, and of devotional candles
with religious themes. There was also a hurricane lantern
left. Because burning candles were an integral part of the
site in its original location, the problem of melted wax,
especially with regard to other artifacts, is significant.
The
second largest series by volume is the text materials. These
textural artifacts range in size from a 2" square drawing
to 22" x 28" posters. Some of these materials are
framed, and others were simply laid at the memorial site.
As mentioned earlier, wax impregnation is an issue for some
of these artifacts, as is some loss of material due to in
situ burning. While some of these materials are identified
by contributor, the great majority of them are anonymous.
Of particular interest is the spiral
sketchbook (UA 01-021:4.14),
a 66-page notebook originally used as a practice sketchbook,
which became something of a repository for the collective
consciousness of those who visited the site and wished to
leave a message.
There
were significant floral and other plant materials left at
the site. Of those perishable items such as floral and other
materials, a representative sampling of whole bouquet and
gathered petals was taken and preserved. There were, in addition,
a small number of paper and fabric floral offerings that were
also preserved.
Other
items left included clothing, flags, photographs, and jewelry,
including a rosary (UA 01-021:1).
After the transfer of the collection, two items were left
at the Main Library display site: a Marine Corps emblem and
a small red, white, and blue
bracelet.
In
the collection, these items have been organized in such a
way so that the lead items in the collection are key text
artifacts and working papers used in recovering and processing
the collection, including photographs taken on September 19
and September 21 at the Arch site, both documenting the collection
in situ, and its recovery and transfer on September
21st. Of particular interest in these slides are materials
which could not be transferred from the original memorial
site location, including various chalk inscriptions. In addition,
the photos show the original positional relationship of the
artifacts in their original context.
Ultimately,
the scope and content of the physical components of this collection
are less important than the emotional scope and content represented
by how those who contributed to this memorial shared their
feelings in this time of shared crisis.
CREATOR NOTE
COLLECTION NOTE
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