Objectively is about people and the objects that hold meaning for them. Leading with curiosity, the project is interested in objects as extension and embodiment of selves. We want to give space for people to reconsider their relationships with things, maybe acquiring new understandings of themselves in the process.
Today’s feature tells the stories of amanda low, a friend I met while reading Anthropology.
amanda low is fascinated by objects — from artefacts, thingamabobs to other (non-/quasi-) objects in between. What intrigues her is the biographical trajectories of objects, how they give and take from the humans they intersect and interact with.
She is at a crossroads in her life, confronting both worldly, capitalistic concerns and a turn to a more nihilistic worldview. amanda likes to think of herself as being a curious old soul with a sense of humour, but really she is just a new-age auntie-in-waiting.
What object would personify you?
I would choose to be personified by this ring that I had inherited from my late grandmother. It is a signet ring that has the Chinese characters “心同” engraved on it. The characters are meant to be read from right to left as with traditional Chinese text; it reads and translates literally into “same heart”.
There are some characters imprinted on the inside of the ring as well that give details on the make of the ring. There is “足金” which means pure gold and “南益” which is likely the name of the jewellery shop my grandmother had bought it from. I cannot be sure but I think she had the family name inscribed as well.
This ring reminds me of the steadfastness of familial love, and that I am a bit of every loved one in my life as much as I am a part of them. Plus, it fits perfectly around my ring finger so I have it on my right hand when I do wear it. Everything about it is so poetic.
If you could be any object, what would you want to be?
For this, I would have to go with the Vajra Sword of Discriminating Wisdom/Insight. I decided to go with a mythical object for this one because I thought it would be fun. It is based on a pendant that my mum had gifted me. This sword in particular has religious roots and is associated with Manjushri, the Buddhist bodhisattva of Wisdom and whose name means “Gentle Glory” in Sanskrit.
The Vajra sword is able to cut through a veil of ignorance or conceptual mix-ups. It is also said to have the ability to cut things into two or into one, by cutting through the self or a duality. It does sound intense, doesn’t it? But it is pretty badass. It would be amazing if it could slice my quarter-life crisis into one right now.
What is one object that holds significant memories for you?
Being the sentimental fool that I am, I hold close to my heart this collection of handwritten notes and letters. They remind me of the times when my friends and I would sneak slips of folded paper under desks or in pencil cases to each other. Or we would catch our friends during break times and after school to exchange these messages.
I love the ones that are folded into shapes or have cute printed paper. There are sincere pieces and there are also apologies. It is bittersweet reading some of them, especially the ones from friends I don’t speak with more. Others are just funny; they are transcribed banter on paper that embody an unmistakable joie de vivre. Mostly, I read them in the voice of the person who had penned the note/letter, if I still remember what they sound like.
I also actually have a note in the pile from someone who had mistakenly given it to me, but it was meant for another Amanda. (I know because we had quite different extracurriculars.) Oh well, maybe I will give it to the intended recipient if I do run into her one day. Such amusing things can happen when you have a common name.
This particular amanda can be found here on Instagram.
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