Life Savers are a perfect example of how an everyday manufactured object can become part of the visual language of American childhood.
The colorful rolls, distinctive shape, and familiar flavors appeared in candy dishes, purses, cars, coat pockets, and holiday gatherings.
The candy itself was consumed in minutes. The memory could last decades.
That’s the paradox at the center of American Material Memory: some of the most enduring memories can be attached to objects that were designed to disappear.
From the Artist:
Life Savers have a very special place in my heart, especially at Christmas time. I remember my Grandma (my Mom’s Mom) would put one of those assorted flavor Lifesaver books in our Christmas stockings.
OMG, I loved the butterscotch! I also remember my Dad driving our big old silver-blue Chrysler station wagon with all five of us kids and Mom doing a road trip vacation somewhere in Michigan.
Dad would pop 1 Life Saver in his mouth for every 1 he dolled out to each of us kids. The guy was smart… he got 5 to 1, and we never caught on.
Life Savers are a perfect example of how an everyday manufactured object can become part of the visual language of American childhood.
The colorful rolls, distinctive shape, and familiar flavors appeared in candy dishes, purses, cars, coat pockets, and holiday gatherings.
The candy itself was consumed in minutes. The memory could last decades.
That’s the paradox at the center of American Material Memory: some of the most enduring memories can be attached to objects that were designed to disappear.
From the Artist:
Life Savers have a very special place in my heart, especially at Christmas time. I remember my Grandma (my Mom’s Mom) would put one of those assorted flavor Lifesaver books in our Christmas stockings.
OMG, I loved the butterscotch! I also remember my Dad driving our big old silver-blue Chrysler station wagon with all five of us kids and Mom doing a road trip vacation somewhere in Michigan.
Dad would pop 1 Life Saver in his mouth for every 1 he dolled out to each of us kids. The guy was smart… he got 5 to 1, and we never caught on.
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