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Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Memorial Dolls Slideshow
This week I produced an unusual audio slideshow about memorial dolls.
It features Jennifer Stocks-Dearborn, a Jefforsonville sculptor who makes realistic clay babies for people whose infants have died. Her own daughter died of SIDS in 2000.
Leon Thompson wrote a story about her for this week's paper, but I thought we could do more with the images of the dolls. Stocks-Dearborn refers to them as "creepy, naked babies," and they are indeed creepy. And also beautiful. And sad.
I drove to Stocks-Dearborn's house on Monday and recorded an interview with her, which I edited and mixed with the song "Precious Time" from The Cush. Talking with her was a moving experience. I hope that's clear from the slideshow.
Don, our creative director, has created a new template for the slideshows, which makes them look more professional.
I think this project illustrates the value of this particular medium. Some people suggested that we shoot video of Stocks-Dearborn, but I think the still images, paired with the audio, are more poignant.
August 8, 2007 at 10:29 AM in House Rules | Permalink
Comments
Wow Cathy.
Just WOW!
Elaine
Posted by: Elaine | Aug 8, 2007 1:38:26 PM
You've been BoingBoinged!
Posted by: bill simmon | Aug 8, 2007 4:32:03 PM
Welcome, Boing Boingers!
Posted by: Cathy Resmer | Aug 8, 2007 4:36:21 PM
Breathtaking and wonderful. Moving and cheering. Excellent. Well done.
Posted by: Paul Parkinson | Aug 8, 2007 6:58:52 PM
Her work reminds me of Ron Mueck except on the opposite end of the scale.
Posted by: E to the M | Aug 8, 2007 11:21:09 PM
How touching. I was expecting to find a neo-goth angst-ridden individual crafting fetuses out of Play-doh, but instead, I found a very sincere, warm individual who reaches inside herself so that others, as well as she, may might heal. The slide show was very well done and moving.
Posted by: Greensleeves | Aug 9, 2007 1:11:29 AM
In an Internet full of sad things, this just might be the saddest thing I've ever heard of.
Posted by: Ummagumma | Aug 9, 2007 7:50:26 AM
This is just wrong on so many levels. Burn the abominations and create something nice.
Posted by: Umberto | Aug 9, 2007 8:06:20 AM
I wonder if she can sculpt a poison womb out of clay.
Posted by: Jerry | Aug 9, 2007 1:11:40 PM
This is very morbid. And disturbing. Not unlike the photobooks of the dead. Having had three miscarriages, however, I would have wanted to have had something--anything--like a baby, at least to bury.
I did like the baby with the wings, though. That was quite moving.
The rest were just, well, disturbing.
Posted by: kat | Aug 9, 2007 1:42:39 PM
nice work Cathy & Jennifer -
I don't find it morbid or creepy at all.
Reminded me why I love art.
Posted by: Richard | Aug 9, 2007 2:26:06 PM
Why not just taxidermy the originals?
Posted by: Pippy Longcockings | Aug 9, 2007 3:04:29 PM
Burn the abominations and create something nice.
I wonder if she can sculpt a poison womb out of clay.
Why not just taxidermy the originals?
Jesus. What the hell is wrong with people? I hope Ms. Stocks-Dearborn isn't reading this thread.
Posted by: bill simmon | Aug 9, 2007 8:30:26 PM
This is very touching. I was actually expecting someone who was creating morbid works of art for the sake of being creepy because of the introduction to this page on bestweekever.tv, but it really displayed the undeniable humanity of this situation. There are obviously many mothers (and perhaps fathers) out there who want that memory of their child to still live on even though they are no longer with them physically.
Posted by: Alexis | Aug 10, 2007 1:22:59 AM
You know what? Anyone who is offended in any way, shape, or form is obviously blind, completely insensitive, and unable to sympathize or empathize with people who are clearly suffering emotionally from a very serious situation. It may not be relatable to some people, but pain is pain, and these cruel individuals have no right to make jokes or be crass in their ignorant remarks. They have absolutely no respect! It's unbelievable, not to mention disgusting.
Posted by: taylor b. | Aug 10, 2007 2:05:20 AM
Yeah, I thought about deleting those comments, but I decided it didn't violate our commenting policy. And I wasn't sure where to draw the line on remarks that are "insensitive." As those obviously are.
I mean, can I just delete comments if I find them offensive? I'm unsure. What's my responsibility, not just as a blogger, but as a media blogger?
I'm still thinking about this one.
Posted by: Cathy Resmer | Aug 10, 2007 8:28:56 AM
It's your blog. You set the tone. You can delete any comments for any reason. If I think you're being unfair or tyrannical about it, I don't have to read your blog. The media part seems to be a non issue. You don't feel compelled to print every letter to the editor in the paper. You make editorial judgments based on all sorts of things, including sensitivity, when deciding what gets published in print, so why not here?
I'm not encouraging you to delete the comments in question, I just don't think you should be swayed by some arbitrary feeling of journalistic responsibility.
I, for one, wouldn't be put off by you deleting heavily as long as you stated your reasons each time you did it (which you do on the rare occasions you delete something). -my2c.
Posted by: bill simmon | Aug 10, 2007 7:50:00 PM
Now that the conversation has digressed, I'll add that I like Bill's take on the deletion policy. Here's another twist on same subject: theoretically speaking, what if someone posted comments that made themselves look like a complete jackass, and then later asked you to remove them? I'm guessing that happens frequently.
Posted by: Richard | Aug 11, 2007 12:04:21 AM
Although I think it is appropriate to remove offensive/hateful comments from a personal blog, I am glad you chose to include the negative remarks. ART is about evoking emotions, whether good or bad. ART is a form of communication. Ms. Stocks-Dearborn has absolutely accomplished what every artist can only hope for- reaching into the core of one's heart and eliciting a response.
Posted by: Colleen | Aug 11, 2007 10:03:07 AM
Has she done any sculptures of dead babies with defects, like a cleft palate or a single cyclops eye?
Posted by: Pippi Longcockings | Aug 11, 2007 5:09:38 PM
lol
Posted by: lolgoons | Aug 11, 2007 11:16:30 PM
I have to say...that reading through all of this was in the least, disturbing for me, by some of the comments posted. I'm a personal friend of Jenn's and if you knew the least bit what these memorial pieces do for the hurting parents, grandparents, etc., there would not be some of the distasteful comments made about her work. I have personally been able to experience reading through e-mails that Jenn has forwarded me from parents who have received these pieces. The emotions come in "full-circle" for these grieving souls after seeing their memorial piece from Jenn. It is a type of healing for them... And it has also been a part of the healing process for Jenn herself, after having lost her beautiful daughter. A sort of "release" for her!!! Jenn puts her heart and soul into these pieces.
I have a memorial piece myself that Jenn made for me, and I have to say that the emotions it invoked the first time I laid eyes on it, are indescribable. Jenn is one of the most loving and caring people I know and her artwork is of the purest form. There is nothing distateful in giving a piece of her heart to grieving parents and family members, in trying to help them cope with their loss.
Thank you to those of you who posted and truly understand the great work that Jenn is doing for others.
Posted by: J.Lynn | Aug 12, 2007 6:06:28 PM
Colleen,
I have yet to be contacted for the stillborn cyclops, but I have done siamese twins (two heads), babies with Trisomy 18, and lots and LOTS of premature babies under the gestational age of 20 weeks....We come in all different packages.
Thanks for all of the feedback!!! The good, the bad and the ugly -- Thank you for taking the time to read the article and then the added time to voicing your thoughts and opinions. Much appreciated.
Peace to you,
Jenn
Posted by: Jenn Stocks-Dearborn | Aug 12, 2007 6:12:02 PM
Jenn,
Thank you for your message clarifying my orginal post- it is a little confusing the way the poster's name is placed underneath the post. You are fortunate to be able to create in a way that is healing to yourself, and others.
Colleen
Posted by: colleen | Aug 12, 2007 8:30:06 PM
Colleen, Yes I realized my mistake as soon as I posted. Oops!
Thank you -- For me my Art is just as selfish as it is giving. When I sculpt I allow myself time just for me. Time to live in my head and that's when I let my thoughts wander. From the moment I break off that first chunk of clay I think about my Maddie and how she would be 8 now. I think about the "what if's"...I think about how her body felt when I held her in my arms....I relive all of those moments that I took for granted not knowing that her life would end at 16 months old. I allow those repressed thoughts to come bubbling forth, and I embrace them. (For me these thoughts have to be kept at bay for me to function a normal life with my children & husband. So sculpting has become my outlet.) And when the piece is completed, I'm emotionally drained but I feel better -- I feel whole once again. Even if it's for a few days or a month...
It's hard to put exact words to my feelings to effectively describe to you how it makes me feel. But I wouldn't continue doing it, and feel so compelled to do so if something wasn't working for me.
And then to know that once the piece is finished it does not get packed away in a box which is stored in secret up in my attic for my grandchildren to discover after my death -- but instead it moves on to another family who needs that tangible keepsake to hold and cradle when the burden of life & death becomes to hard to carry.
It is because of this path that I do not charge for these pieces -- For how can you put a price tag on something that is priceless???? And how can I charge someone for something that I would do even if there wasn't a demand for it? All Memorial pieces are in lew of a donation for my supplies so that the hobby pays for itself, and it will be around for all that need it.
It's not Art for Art's sake, it's Art for the Heart.
Peace,
Jenn Stocks-Dearborn
Posted by: Jenn Stocks-Dearborn | Aug 13, 2007 9:48:39 AM
Having lost 4 babies in 2 separate pregnancy's I completely understand why you do what you do and I think it is amazing. I think you are insanely talented and I think you do something wonderful for these family's. I framed my ultrasound pictures (basically the only things I have) and put it up on the wall between my 2 living children's hospital pictures - and people including family members think it's morbid and horrible. I don't. It makes me feel better having it there. So if having a doll brings someone comfort and helps to ease the grief of losing a child then you are helping heal an open would by creating this gift for them. I think you do a wonderful job and you are an incredible artist.
To those who have posted the negativity - remember in grade school? If you cant say something nice...just keep that in mind.
Posted by: Jennifer | Aug 15, 2007 3:50:28 AM
Jenn is an amazing artist. I know I have the honor of having one of her pieces in my home. and it is amazing. If you really come one a thread to bash people and say mean things you should take a long hard look at yourself. And didnt anyone ever teach you that if you don't have nothing nice to say , dont say anything at all.....
Jenn your extremely talented and that is hard for some to swallow I see . But remember unless they have walked in our shoes... they have no clue. All the work you do is amazing and touching... Its amazing that from your own experience you can use your talent to touch so many people.
And all the work you do whether it be a memorial or just a beautiful baby well its something you should be proud of. Hell, no matter what you do in life there will always be someone there to run there mouth and show their ignorance so do me a favor and Ignore them....And know that I am here to support you.
Posted by: Fawn | Aug 17, 2007 6:36:39 PM
I just want to say thank you Jenn. What you are doing is amazing and courageous and generous and beautiful on so many levels. Thank you.
Posted by: Chelsea | Aug 17, 2007 10:58:47 PM
Having known Jenn for most of my life, she is like a sister, and although I don’t think she needs protecting, I just have a few things to say.
Having been as close to loosing a child as I ever want to be, I can fully appreciate the gift that Jenn provides to the memorial community.
My daughter has Congenital Heart Defects, and she has had 4 open heart surgeries. Each time she goes into surgery, there is a chance she might not make it out. With that in mind…having been at the hospital bed of many other moms going through the same kind of health issues..I have seen many beautiful angels return to God. And it is very hard as a mom whose little girl is here to help them with their pain. Because the bottom line is I feel guilty that I have something they don’t have…my child.
If you have children, and if you have ever taken that ER/ambulance ride into surgery, you would know how this feels. The total lack of control. Jenn has made a “pocket baby” sculpt (that fits in my hand when I make a fist), and it has helped at times to have something “tangible” to hold onto, when I have control over nothing else.
I think those of you with obnoxious posts should read the story about Maddie before they post anymore topics about Jenn’s work.
And just for the record, because I was there, Jenn originally started making dolls as a healing process for her, and when mothers started seeing them, they ASKED her to make memorial pieces for them. I beleive she also donates the proceeds from the memorial pieces to The Simons Project (VT SIDS Support Organization).
Posted by: Brandy | Aug 18, 2007 3:09:11 PM
So I realize this was posted quite a while a go but I'm sickened by some of the comments here. And apalled that people could be so cold hearted. What Jenn does while she does it to help herself helps others in so many ways.
I requested one of these 'creepy' babies in memory of my daughter who passed away at 23 days old. And let me tell you if you all think that these dolls are creepy or disturbing obviously haven't experiences the real death of a child. Let me tell you while my child was the most beautiful thing I've EVER seen even the day she died I KNOW she didn't look 'normal' anymore. WHY? Because she was swollen from kidney failure, she was bleeding from where they took off the tape that had kept the vent in her and alive for 23 short days, they'd taken out the ivs and the central line and returned her to me broken but still so very much MY child.
I pray you never know the pain of holding your child as he/she struggles to breathe and knowing that in a few precious moments they'll be gone from you for life.
and SHAME SHAME SHAME on all of you who left nasty, mean comments. Karma is a bitch and you'd better duck because it will come back to haunt you
Posted by: M. Lane | Aug 29, 2007 11:49:42 PM
well said, M. Lane. I probably would have violated Cathy's posting protocall left and right if it was me. There but for the grace of God, right?
To be Frank, I do find this to be a little spooky, but it not about me. If this Artful rememberance acts as a salve in any way to these deep wounds, I say good on Ya!
Posted by: bigbadbrad | Jan 9, 2008 3:02:04 PM
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