The Dream Image Reliquary Project

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The Dream Image Reliquary Project

Sonoma State University
Myth, Dreams, and Symbols 2006
Psychology 322
Professor Geri Olson, Ph.D.

Relic: an object esteemed and venerated, a trace of a past practice, custom or belief. A relic is not only a trinket or a memento because there is a quality of healing invested in the object. Relics have been considered more esteemed than precious metals and stones.

Reliquary: a container where relics (sacred objects) are stored and displayed.

Assemblage: a sculptural composition consisting of an arrangement of miscellaneous objects or found materials.

Triptych: a picture or carving on three panels fixed or hinged side by side, especially as an altarpiece.

Santero Boxes: this form of retablo was used first as a portable altar by medieval travelers and pilgrims and has now evolved into a narrative folk art.

Surrealism: a movement in art and literature in which an attempt is made to portray or interpret the workings of the unconscious mind as manifested in dreams. It is characterized by an incongruous, fantastic arrangement of material or objects.

For this project, you will be creating a reliquary, assemblage, triptych, or retablo that serves as a container for a collection of dream images. Your dreamscape project might contain images from a powerful dream, a reoccurring dream from childhood, or fragments from many dreams. This piece will become a narrative and the intent is to tell a story. We will explore many ways to compose this reliquary in class, but here are some ideas to consider.

Containers: shadow box, deep frame, cigar box, altered books, an old dresser drawer, vintage medicine cabinet. The frame should be strong; please do not use a shoe box.

Background: fabric, screen, collage, tissue, wallpaper, old maps, copper, newspapers, treated wood, canvas, paint, lace, vintage material such as a childhood hanky, and pages from textbooks, romance novels, the dictionary or other discarded books.

The hidden or mysterious object: a small jar, tin, envelope, pocket, pouch, sachet, shoe, film canister, curtain. One object is hidden until it is opened, revealed or uncovered by the viewer.

Required Elements
• Three or more images
• Contrasting scale
• Contrasting textures
• One or more found objects
• A hidden, mysterious element
• A back, middle and foreground
• Something transparent or semi-transparent.

HomePage Back to Myth Class Human Development Class Creativity Class Doll Class Links SSU Home

	HomePage Back to Myth Class Human Development Class Creativity Class Doll Class Links SSU Home

	The Dream Image Reliquary Project	Sonoma State University Myth, Dreams, and Symbols 2006 Psychology 322 Professor Geri Olson, Ph.D.
	Relic: an object esteemed and venerated, a trace of a past practice, custom or belief. A relic is not only a trinket or a memento because there is a quality of healing invested in the object. Relics have been considered more esteemed than precious metals and stones. Reliquary: a container where relics (sacred objects) are stored and displayed. Assemblage: a sculptural composition consisting of an arrangement of miscellaneous objects or found materials. Triptych: a picture or carving on three panels fixed or hinged side by side, especially as an altarpiece. Santero Boxes: this form of retablo was used first as a portable altar by medieval travelers and pilgrims and has now evolved into a narrative folk art. Surrealism: a movement in art and literature in which an attempt is made to portray or interpret the workings of the unconscious mind as manifested in dreams. It is characterized by an incongruous, fantastic arrangement of material or objects. For this project, you will be creating a reliquary, assemblage, triptych, or retablo that serves as a container for a collection of dream images. Your dreamscape project might contain images from a powerful dream, a reoccurring dream from childhood, or fragments from many dreams. This piece will become a narrative and the intent is to tell a story. We will explore many ways to compose this reliquary in class, but here are some ideas to consider. Containers: shadow box, deep frame, cigar box, altered books, an old dresser drawer, vintage medicine cabinet. The frame should be strong; please do not use a shoe box. Background: fabric, screen, collage, tissue, wallpaper, old maps, copper, newspapers, treated wood, canvas, paint, lace, vintage material such as a childhood hanky, and pages from textbooks, romance novels, the dictionary or other discarded books. The hidden or mysterious object: a small jar, tin, envelope, pocket, pouch, sachet, shoe, film canister, curtain. One object is hidden until it is opened, revealed or uncovered by the viewer. Required Elements • Three or more images • Contrasting scale • Contrasting textures • One or more found objects • A hidden, mysterious element • A back, middle and foreground • Something transparent or semi-transparent. HomePage Back to Myth Class Human Development Class Creativity Class Doll Class Links SSU Home