MASTER'S THESIS
Prospective Memories explores the role of design in shaping collective memory and the discourse generated by the monuments that inhabit our public spaces. These forms serve as physical embodiments of perceived significance and are designed with the intention to influence the value systems of future generations.
Prospective Memories explores the role of design in shaping collective memory and the discourse generated by the monuments that inhabit our public spaces. These forms serve as physical embodiments of perceived significance and are designed with the intention to influence the value systems of future generations.
Abstract for master's thesis
Lisa K. Bambach © 2025
Methodology for master's thesis
Lisa K. Bambach © 2025
SCENARIO 1: PROHIBITION
How might we represent collective memory digitally if
physical monuments are no longer permitted in public spaces?
How might we represent collective memory digitally if
physical monuments are no longer permitted in public spaces?
WHAT
Individuals from the past and present who have experienced the effects of climate-change induced wildfire smoke have preserved their memories into enenra which, in Japanese tradition, are spirits of the dead who manifest as wisps of smoke. The enenra of Golden Gardens are situated on the beach to discuss their experiences with individuals of the present and future.
Scenario 1: Prohibition
Lisa K. Bambach © 2025
Rendering by Alyssa Parsons
HOW
The stories and experiences of individuals are collected within a generative AI large language model (LLM) to generate bespoke ChatBots for each person that use their own voice. Their memories are accessible through enenra, which are able to engage in discussion with audiences, responding to dialogue as if they were present.
Scenario 1: Prohibition
Lisa K. Bambach © 2025
Rendering by Alyssa Parsons
SCENARIO 2: REBELLION
How might we represent collective memory digitally if
monuments are no longer designed to be permanent but instead are temporary?
How might we represent collective memory digitally if
monuments are no longer designed to be permanent but instead are temporary?
WHAT
Constituencies from the past and present contribute digital, 3D rendered memorials to climate-change induced wildfire smoke intended to be displayed temporarily through an extended reality experience at Golden Gardens. The digital monuments at Golden Gardens are situated together on the beach to showcase the multiplicity of experiences with the subject matter and prevent singular ownership of the space and narrative.
Scenario 2: Rebellion
Lisa K. Bambach © 2025
Rendering by Alyssa Parsons
HOW
Monuments are restricted to following conventional architypes, where a figure sits atop a pedestal. The pedestal is standardized to communicate a shared overarching theme between each of the figures, however, the figures atop the pedestals are customizable to represent the collective memories of the contributing constituencies.
Scenario 2: Rebellion
Lisa K. Bambach © 2025
Rendering by Alyssa Parsons
SCENARIO 3: Evolution
How might we represent collective memory if
monuments serve as records of dialogue over centuries of public discourse?
How might we represent collective memory if
monuments serve as records of dialogue over centuries of public discourse?
WHAT
A timeline of climate-change induced wildfire smoke data from Golden Gardens appears as an interactive ring around the individual. The data acts as a monument to the experience and impact of wildfire smoke by simulating the visibility of the mountains from year to year.
Scenario 3: Evolution
Lisa K. Bambach © 2025
Rendering by Alyssa Parsons
HOW
The timeline accompanies the individual as they meander down the beach, softly transitioning between each year. The visibility of the Olympic Mountains improves in years of good air quality and becomes obscured in years where wildfire smoke increased. The individual can also choose which year to experience should they seek
to compare air quality data to enable reflection. If individuals directly experienced smoke at Golden Gardens, they can contribute images to the timeline.
to compare air quality data to enable reflection. If individuals directly experienced smoke at Golden Gardens, they can contribute images to the timeline.
Low AQI
High AQI
CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT
Before designing towards specific scenarios or determining the approach of the collective memory artifact, a series of exercises from Ellen Lupton’s book Graphic Design Thinking: beyond brainstorming (2011) were conducted to openly explore concepts before defining solutions preemptively. This approach enabled further definition of intentionality by documenting information that as selected to move forward in the design process and what was consciously forgotten.
Before designing towards specific scenarios or determining the approach of the collective memory artifact, a series of exercises from Ellen Lupton’s book Graphic Design Thinking: beyond brainstorming (2011) were conducted to openly explore concepts before defining solutions preemptively. This approach enabled further definition of intentionality by documenting information that as selected to move forward in the design process and what was consciously forgotten.
Scenario 1: Moodboard
Lisa K. Bambach © 2025
Scenario 2: Moodboard
Scenario 3: Moodboard
Exhibition
Henry Art Gallery
May 24–June 15, 2025
Henry Art Gallery
May 24–June 15, 2025
Lisa K. Bambach © 2025
Lisa K. Bambach © 2025
Thesis CHAIR
Kristine Matthews
Kristine Matthews
Thesis COMMITTEE
Chad Hall, Axel Roesler PhD
Chad Hall, Axel Roesler PhD
