Pick A Shelf, Any Shelf: Collections In Context & Construction
11.06.06By Deanna DahlsadThis is but one shelf in my home.
This shelf is filled with Gene and other dolls, risqué pinup collectibles, and other icons of femininity. My love of (obsession with) Marilyn Monroe, led to a love of classic films, bombshells and pinups, and items connected to these images. In turn, I gathered more than just films, photographs, dolls, and entertainment memorabilia, but books. While these items obviously sit on other shelves (and in other display and storage devices), they are related to this shelf, this collection.
At first I viewed only the books on films and stars as part of this collection but soon I realized my library encompassed more than moviestar bios and entertainment books. It was even more than vintage magazines and pulp novels. There was a large focus on women in general: feminist works; historical books on etiquette, ‘health’ and grooming; erotic literature and the study thereof; anthropological works on gender and culture etc. These were as much a part of my shelf of ‘girly’ items as the pinups and dolls.
While my books may seem lofty and intellectual whereas the items on this shelf seem pretty girly, I eventually saw that they are not just related but all part of the same collection.
If the objects on this shelf seem sexist, exploitative; as if I am falling for the bunk the books denounced, I’m not. At least not in my mind. Looking at stereotypes on my shelf (the dumb blonde, the voluptuous vixen, the evil jealous woman, the sinner vs. the saint) allows me to put into context what I have read. It’s a reminder of what exists, of the indoctrination, of what it means to be female. At least from my point of view.
Once I made the connection between this shelf and my bookshelves I saw the connections with my other collections. My political collectibles, history of courting, vintage lingerie and beauty items, and quite a few other sub-categories/shelves here at home all fit together too. I may not know exactly what my collection is saying, but I know what it is asking: What does being female mean?
Once I realized what it is that I am really collecting, the focus of my collection didn’t change per se — it sharpened.
Defining what I was doing helped me refine my actions. Not only does this help me in the formation and organization of my collection, but the motivation and context help me articulate to others what I am looking for. I not only search more effectively on the internet, but network with other collectors better. This ought to help me get closer to answering the question my collection is asking. And that’s what it’s all about, yes?
(If you are one of these collectors — if your collection is asking the same question — feel free to contact me!)
