A Qualitative Study of the Experience of an Evocative Object - Literature review Example

Evocative Objects Literature review Introduction Evocative objects could be defined as objects, which possess some emotional attachment to them from individuals. The individuals through attachment of an intrinsic value immensely value these objects. The objects become much valued by the individuals and the owner would perceive their loss negatively. The value of these objects can only be understood by the individuals whom the object evokes some feelings. The encounters of people with various items remain fundamental in determining the intrinsic value individuals attach to objects (Myers, 1985). Beliefs also have a significant influence on the value presented by familiar objects among different people. These objects have significant influence upon the livelihoods of individuals, and are commonly accorded significant importance. The objects evoke emotional feelings resulting in their significant importance to the people experiencing these evocations. These objects perform the function of creating imaginative memories of past events or beliefs held by individuals. Description of evocative objects Evocation has been described as the act of creating powerful imaginations within an individual’s memory, which are bound to create a specific feeling. Evocative objects therefore create such imaginations upon individuals who perceive them as evocative. The aspect of perception comes from an individual’s beliefs and cultural values regarding a particular object or situation (Turkle, 2007). These objects are commonly familiar objects, only that they represent different meaning to different people. The meanings of these objects change with time and place, according to the beliefs held by people. The element of evocation largely enables people to perceive familiar objects differently. The different perception created through the unfamiliar understanding of a familiar object evokes some feelings. Evocative objects provide individuals with opportunities to associate themselves with certain segments of people. Familiar objects commonly present different feeling among different individuals; and these feeling become essential in alienating the element of evocation. Similar evocations, from the same object, are commonly associated with the same cultural perception between the individuals possessing such feelings (Turkle, 2007). Evocative objects have commonly been associated with creation of illusions and representations of intangible attributes among people. These are the attributes which define cultural beliefs and other elements of perceptions and emotional feelings, which could either be permanent or periodic. Cultural beliefs attributed to evocative objects represent permanent evocations, while feelings are contained within emotional evocations from these objects. Evocative objects commonly induce emotions which determine the reactions of people once in contact with these objects. These objects form a fundamental part of the personality of the individuals affected by the evocation from the objects (Stewart, 1984). Evocative objects can therefore be identified as items which initiate instant imagination among people, who consequently accord the items significant importance. The element of evocation remains an essential attribute which defines the significance of items, and subsequent definition of evocative objects. While many familiar objects might be insignificant to many people, their significance becomes essential when they evoke certain perceptions in people. Unique encounters with familiar objects create lasting impressions, which make such objects become evocative; when encountered at a different stage in life. Types of evocative objects Evocative objects exist within different perspectives of people’s lives and are experienced according to the perception of evocation. This becomes the fundamental element differentiating the various evocative objects available within different social setting. Many of the evocative objects possessed by individuals produce their effect through the social setting. The objects are commonly perceived by a section of a society with significant importance, and this element becomes transferred to the various members of the society (LaMothe, 2010). Though the individuals experience the evocation differently, the objects become identified as evocative objects within a particular society. The kind of evocation produced by the different objects defined the specific type of evocative object. These evocations include historical, cultural, and religious among many others (Meissner, 1986). Historical objects These could be defined as evocative objects which present an historical significance to the individuals regarding them as evocative. Historical objects present individuals with memories of a significant event within their life, which either occurred as a result of the object, or was presented through the object (Myers, 1985). These are objects which present significant utility within a society or to an individual. The memories presented by these objects can only be derived through coming into contact with the object. These objects present ambivalent emotions to individuals perceiving them as evocative. Though their significance might not be understood by other people, the individuals possessing these effects have increased regard for these objects. These objects commonly present a significant historical event within a society or an individual. Museums commonly serve the function of preserving historical objects of significant importance to a society. Historical objects arouse emotional feelings associated with a significant event occurring within a society (Bollas, 2008). Most of the preserved historical objects evoke positive feelings among the individuals who own these objects. The objects normally convey a message to the involved individuals regarding historical occurrences within their society. The message contained within historical evocative objects becomes transferred from generation to another, within a society. A significant invention, for example, could become an evocative, historical object within the specific field of study. By looking at the object, individuals within that particular filed, could have imaginations of the success achieved through the invention. Religious objects Religious objects refer to evocative objects which present religious meanings to individuals. For an object to be perceive as religious by an individual, one must possess the religious beliefs attributed to the specific religion associated to the object. Different religions perceive certain common objects differently and the perception defines the element of evocation from such objects. Typical objects have significant importance in different religions which enhances the perceptions of the individuals, profession faith to those religions (Zoller, 2012). Many religious objects commonly evoke divinity as the ultimate characteristic associated with the objects. Among individuals professing a similar faith, these religious objects are considered sacred and must be accorded much respect. Evocation has been immensely associated with religious beliefs for ages. Every religion has numerous objects which are supposed to represent divinity and holiness of places of worship (Parker, 2008). Religious objects have continuously been subjects of immense discussion within legal perspectives where some religions perceive certain objects with negativity, creating immense religious battles. Islam, for example, despises dogs as unclean animals which must be avoided (haram). Dogs hence evoke negative perceptions among individuals professing Islamic faith and they dissociate themselves from such items. Some religious objects considered sacred and divine include, minarets among Muslims, crucifix in Christianity and lotus in Hinduism. These objects have insignificant meanings to other religions and are perceived like other objects, to individuals not profession the faith which accords them divinity (Mehta & Belk, 1991). Objects Discipline and desire These are objects which evoke memories of a future state within an individual or a society. These objects remain associated with attributes of happiness or sadness, in gaining or lacking the objects, respectively. These objects remain common to individuals and result from imaginative powers within the person. These imaginations result from interactions within the society, which produce an element of desire within an individual (Burton, 2004). These objects are associated with an individual’s purposive movement towards achieving a desirable end. As objects of desire, they constitute all objects which an individual perceives as necessary in assisting him/her to achieve certain, personal objectives or goals. The establishment of the objects of desire results from passion and reasoning towards personal objectives. Objects of desire consist of imagined items either existing or non-existent, which are created through imaginative powers of individuals (Stewart, 1984). These objects are only significant to individuals as means of achieving objectives, which individuals establish. These objects only serve to provide support towards achieving personal objectives. The function of the objects could diminish once the objectives have been achieved. Money, for example, remains an object of desire for many individuals wishing to become wealthy. Getting such desired objects, therefore, would bring surmountable happiness to the person desiring the object. Almost all individuals have some objects of desire, which they behold could be essential in their future livelihoods. Objects of desire remain contained within many fantasies, and could make individuals live an imaginative life. Despite the desire to achieve certain objectives, objects of desire might be beyond the reach of individuals having such desires. Transitional objects These are objects which are associated with evoking certain emotions during a specific period of time. These objects remain essential in enhancing the individuals to handle difficult situations which they face, during their lifetime. These objects have significance importance in providing memories from a different time, when an individual might not remember well (Bollas, 2008). These objects are essential in providing comfort during extremely challenging situations. Transitional objects enable individuals to move from one situation to another, through offering the necessary support to enhance such change. The objects become associated with the good memories of difficult situations faced by individuals. Since the objects are commonly associated with comfort, many individuals carry such objects to make themselves feel comfortable and safe. The objects provide different memories of happy times, which could enable individuals, forget their suffering momentarily. Transitional phenomenon – this is the term utilised in making reference to a time interval between major events. The transitional phenomenon seeks to establish the relationship between two events which were separated by a transitional object (Winnicott, 1953). The differences between the events become established and effectively understood by the individuals involved within the transition. The phenomenon has been established as the factor necessitating the availability of a transitional object. The change in the conditions within which an individual resides, creates the transitional phenomenon among individuals. Transitional objects remind the individuals about the transitional phenomenon associated with the particular object. Objects of memory These are objects utilised by individuals to preserve memories as individuals might want to remember them. While they could be associated with historical objects, the significant discrepancy is that these are personal, while historical objects have significance to a society. These objects evoke memories of different situations which the individuals find important within their lives. Objects of memory enable individuals to generate imaginative figures, consequently providing significant memories to the individuals (Bennett, 2006). Objects of memory define the importance of individual artefacts in conveying historical information and memorising of the events pertaining to the occurrence of the objects. These are commonly items which individuals hold with much esteem. Couples commonly keep pictures of their early dating times, which become objects of memory. Most objects of memory are retained for remembrance of specific events or occurrences. Many of these objects remain personal properties, which individuals value very much. While these objects might be common items like pictures, the significance of the item becomes contained in the memories generated by the picture, upon the owner of the picture. These objects perform a fundamental role in preserving the memory of individuals. Photos, remain the most commonly objects of memory, because they remind people of events which might be easily forgotten. A national flag could be an object of memory which represents the struggles for independence, within a certain country. Objects of meditation These are objects utilised by individuals who involve themselves in meditation as a method of envisioning oneself. Meditation refers to a mental process of training the human mind to induce and subsequently end consciousness. The process involves various techniques aimed at enhancing relaxation, internal strength and establishing compassion for others. The process involves a self-regulating approach of one’s mind. In undertaking meditation, an individual requires certain objects, which create an atmosphere of meditation. These are referred as the objects of meditation because of the role they play during the process of meditating. Meditation has been commonly associated with different religions and the objects of meditation are commonly similar to some religious objects of the faith which an individual professes. The major difference between meditation objects and religious objects remains that mediation objects are only applicable during meditation. Religious objects might have different functions other than meditation. These objects perform the fundamental function of creating an environment, which an individual can engage in deep thought regarding self-consciousness. The aspect of consciousness remains the fundamental characteristic of meditation as a religious process. References Bennett, T. (2006). Stored Virtue: Memory, the Body and the Evolutionary Museum. In S. Radstone & K. Hodgkin (Eds.), Memory Cultures: Memory, Subjectivity and Recognition (pp. 40–54). London: Transaction Publishers. Bollas, C. (2008). The evocative object world. London: Routledge. Burton, D. (2004). 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Boston: MIT Press. Winnicott, D. W. (1953). Transitional Objects and Transitional Phenomena. International Journal of Psycho-Analysis, 34(2), 89–97. Zoller, D. J. (2012). Realism and belief attribution in Heidegger’s phenomenology of religion. Continental Philosophy Review, 45(1), 101–120. Read More