Digging deep in lost and found

An exciting art project, instigated by three artists including Ennis’ Marie Connole, explores the idea of object identity, the stories behind lost or stolen items and finds new ways of appreciating objects found or confiscated.
Faber Studios artists Marie Connole, Caelan Bristow and Aaron Lawless will showcase their project Re-possession to the public for the duration of Eva International festival, which runs from May 19 to August 12 at venues in Limerick.
The multi-part work addresses the idea of object identity, particularly the stolen or confiscated objects that are found in the lost and found storage of garda stations, train and bus stations and other Limerick institutions.
The trio work in different mediums and all bring their individual talents together in this project. Marie’s background is in painting but she also delves into sculpture and installation. Caelen Bristow is from an architectural background and has worked on models and collaborative projects, while Aaron is a sculptor.
Part one of the project is Stories and the trio are collecting stories about people’s experience of loss or theft. these stories will then be presented in an audio-visual installation in the window of their Limerick studio.
Part two is Inventory where the artists are documenting objects from the lost and found sections of various institutions, including objects lost but remembered, to produce an extensive catalogue of lost and found things.
Part III for Faber Studios is Action where they are giving these collected objects new life by re-imagining and recreating them in an ongoing workshop space in their studio.
The final aspect of the project is the exhibition where they will exhibit a selection of lost and found objects, videos of interviewees, and a large inventory book, which they are dubbing The Big Book.
Marie explains how the idea came about and what they hope it will achieve.
“This is the first time we have done something for Eva. The three of us are based at Faber Studios on Henry Street in Limerick and we were speaking about the garda station on Henry Street, which is directly across from us.
“We were wondering what type of things they have in their lost and found. We all work with objects in different ways and we wanted to collaborate together and that’s how it came about. Because we all work with objects in some way and we were still new to the area, we wanted to do something to make connections with our neighbours in the Limerick Youth Service and the garda station and this was a way to connect with them.
“We will be doing the workshops with the Limerick Youth Service,” she outlined.
Marie said the project is also about recycling, and up-cycling and getting away from the common culture of throwing things away.
“It is a positive project and focuses on revaluing and finding a different use for these items and, in some cases through sculpture, making them into something new to appreciate.”
The artists have been collecting items from lost and found at Ennis Train Station, Shannon Airport and Colbert Station and local garda stations for the projects.
What they turned up was a random mix of objects from bicycles, spectacles, prams and golf clubs to watches and electronic items.
The project structure parallels the archetypal story of tragedy leading to recovery and growth exploring the psychological impact of loss through personal stories, the methodical documentation of objects and the rehabilitation of the object by the craftsperson, according to Marie.
“Certain things people miss more than others. I think everyone has something which has a different value to them than its actual worth, so be it a memory or maybe it is a symbol of something they might want to be. It might not be obvious but by telling the story this comes out,” Marie explained.
The exhibition, which will be held in the Faber Studios, will include videos recounting the stories gathered, and will include a large book recording any inventory lists, written stories and the artists own notes on how they upcycled the items.  
“It’s been going great so far. One story I really loved was from this girl who had a Kermit the Frog toy when she was little. When she was five it went missing. She always wondered what happened it but never found out.
“She didn’t mind the loss that much but it was the wondering for her that bothered her because she couldn’t explain the disappearance. Some 20 years later she was working in Australia and for her birthday she got a present from her best friend from home.
“It was a t-shirt with a Kermit the frog picture and she rang her friend to thank her and ask why she had sent her that. Her friend said she had stolen the teddy years previous but was so embarrassed and guilty to tell her. It was a relief to this girl though to know what happened,” Marie said.
Marie is inviting the public to visit Faber Studios from Thursday to Saturday for the duration of Eva International where they are asked to bring along a found/lost object, re-create a new object from some of the objects present, and peruse or contribute to The Big Book. They will also hold a series of workshops in Faber Studios where the public can participate.
The primary concern of Re-possession is to promote the value of reuse and the culture of exchange in the community.
People in Clare are encouraged to send in written stories on any object that they have lost or which was stolen to faberstudios@gmail.com or call Marie on 086 3733015. All stories will be anonymous.