DIE VERGESSENE ERINNERUNG
The Forgotten Memory
Age, Dementia & Care
THE FORGOTTEN MEMORY explores the processes of aging, memory loss, and how dementia changes interpersonal relationships.
The works revolve around the book of the same name, which deals with the artist’s mother’s dementia.
A central element of the project is disposable gloves, which are worn when caring for the elderly.
ONE SWIPE AND IT'S GONE / DONE (EINMAL WISCH UND WEG)
Age, Care, and Disposable Gloves
I’ve noticed that disposable gloves are always worn when caring for older adults. There are good reasons for this from a hygiene perspective. Nevertheless, it gives the impression that physical contact loses some of its humanity as a result.
The growing shortage of nursing staff and economic pressures—including the pursuit of profit margins—mean that often only the bare minimum can be provided—to put it bluntly, following the motto “fed, clean, medicated.”
There’s often hardly any time left for personal attention and the human touch. “Wipe once and gone” therefore unfortunately describes not only the disposable glove, but also the way we handle human closeness.
In my work with gloves, I explore the consequences of this trend for those in need of care and for caregivers. It addresses issues of age, frailty, and dignity, as well as the enormous pressure under which many caregivers work.
DER MANTEL, 2026
THE COAT, 2026
Coat made from disposable nitrile gloves, knotted, partially dyed and inscribed with excerpts from Eichler’s demented mother’s memoirs or printed with family photos. 150 x 70 cm
DAS URTEIL, 2026
(THE VERDICT )
S/W-Fotografie
The artist in the dress DIE VERGESSENE BIOGRAFIE (THE FORGOTTEN BIOGRAPHY)
Fine Art Print on PhotoRag
50 x 35 cm
Edition: 1 + 1
DAS URTEIL _ WIDERSTAND I - III, 2026
THE VERDICT – RESISTANCE I–III, 2026
Transfer prints of black-and-white photographs, edited with colored pencils and watercolor pencils, on Hahnemühle handmade paper – The artist in the dress THE FORGOTTEN BIOGRAPHY, 32 x 24 cm each
DIE VERGESSENE BIOGRAFIE, 2018 -2019
(THE FORGOTTEN BIOGRAPHY)
Dress made from disposable nitrile gloves, tied and inscribed with the memoirs of Eichler’s demented mother; filled with cotton batting; length 150 cm
DAS ERSTE HEMD, 2020
Dress made from disposable gloves, tied, stuffed, printed with family photos / Length ca. 1.20 m)
DAS ZWEITE HEMD, 2020
Dress made from disposable gloves, tied, stuffed, printed with family photos / Length ca. 1.10 m)
DAS ZWEITE HEMD, Detail
TRILOGIE DES ERINNERNS UND VERGESSENS, 2020
(TRIOLOGY OF REMEMBERING AND FORGETTING)
DAS LETZTE HEMD, 2020
Dress made from disposable gloves, tied, stuffed, printed with family photos / Length ca. 1.0 m)
DAS LETZTE HEMD, Detail
DAS ERSTE HEMD, Detail
STOLA, 2019
Stola, Nitril disposable gloves, tied, length 150 cm
ZUSTAND, 2019
(CONDITION)
Stola, Nitril disposable gloves, tied, length 180 cm
SCHLEIER DES VERGESSENS, 2020
(Veil OF FORGETTING)
Textile object. Transfer prints of family photos on silk veils, partially torn, sewn together, and embroidered over
115 x 55 cm
DAS LIED DES ERINNERNS UND VERGESSENS
(THE SONG OF REMEMBERING AND FORGETTING)
Installation
Music plays an important role in dealing with people with dementia. Melodies stay in the memory longer and can open doors to buried memories.
Visitors of the exhibition are invited to touch the installation in order to explore its images and its sound.
DAS LIED DES ERINNERNS UND VERGESSENS, 2020
(THE SONG OF REMEMBERING AND FORGETTING)
Installation of up to 70 piano keys handprinted (variable, adjustable to space) with digitally manipulated family photos (acrylic transfer) and handwritten excerpts from my mother's memoires.
The piano keys are strung onto a steel rod, which hangs from the ceiling. When the visitors touch the installation, it will start to swing just like the memories of a demented person when listening to melodies of forgotten times.
Dimension: ca 55 x 125 cm
The installation can be combined with DIE LEERE GREIFEN / GRASPING THE EMPTINESS, 40 hands out of handmade paper (life-size).
Forgetting is like Grasping the Emptyness.
DIE LEERE GREIFEN, 2020
(GRASPING THE EMPTINESS)
Hands, cast from stuffed disposable gloves using handmade paper (series of 40 unique pieces)
Video of THE SONG OF REMEMBERING AND FORGETTING from an exhibition at the Association of Berlin Artists (2021)
