Club Amnesia Houston: A Journey Through Cultural Memory

Marlon Hall, founder of the Awakenings Movement, once said, 'In order to imagine the future, we have to remember the past.' This phrase encapsulates the core idea behind the latest art installation in Houston's Pleasantville neighborhood - 'Amnesia Therapy: Remembering the Future.' The project aims to revive cultural memory and connect with the past, a concept that is especially relevant for the residents of Pleasantville, who often feel forgotten.

The installation features six 4-foot-by-6-foot aluminum panels, each showcasing the likeness of historical figures from both local and national backgrounds. Designed by Houston artist Robert Hodge and installed by members of the Awakenings Movement, a nontraditional, nondenominational church, this artwork serves as a reminder of a more illustrious past.

The project is not just about nostalgia; it's also an attempt to counteract cultural amnesia. Hall, a trained anthropologist and pastor, believes that people have forgotten who they are, who God is, and what he has called them to do. This forgetting is particularly prevalent in downtrodden areas like Pleasantville, where the isolation can make it easy for the rest of the city to forget its existence.

The installation is more than just a visual representation; each panel comes with a bar code that can be scanned for additional information. This interactive element allows viewers to delve deeper into the stories and histories featured in the artwork.

The 'Amnesia Therapy' project was funded by the city and launched in February, specifically targeting the residents of Pleasantville. Jerry Davis, who represents the neighborhood in city council, describes it as an island, hidden from view and easily forgotten unless you take the time to explore. The installation serves as a reminder that even in the midst of industrialization and urban development, there are communities that have been left behind.

As we move forward into the future, it's essential that we remember where we come from. Club Amnesia Houston's 'Amnesia Therapy: Remembering the Future' is a powerful reminder of the importance of cultural memory and its role in shaping our understanding of ourselves and our place in the world.

Club amnesia houston