Many of us have lost lo­­ved ones to Alzheimer’s Disease, myself included. Watching a parent, grandparent or friend suffer from cognitive decline is heartbreaking. Frustration, confusion, aggression, loneliness and mood swings are only a glimpse of the implications of this condition. Acknowledging each person as a complex tapestry of past experiences and identities is integral to grasping their unique relationship with the disease. I attempt to capture this individual experience through MemoriALZ. 

This piece depicts the journey from infancy to elderhood, encapsulating the vibrant moments and emotions that unfold within the various stages of life. As the composition progresses, a series of memory glitches trigger a regression back through the lifespan. Each interruption represents a different symptom of Alzheimer’s—difficulty recalling recent memories, combining unrelated memories, forgetting fragments of memories, and repeating oneself. This deterioration intensifies until the return of a childlike state. MemoriALZ is a tribute to my grandmother.

Duke Service-Learning