Doos, behorend bij Sint-Helenamedaille 1857

This is an object made by Albert-Désiré Barre, consisting of a box intended for a Saint Helena medal. The box presents a rigid, rectangular form, divided into two halves. One half features an imperial eagle and text, while the other is blank. Visually, the box offers a study in contrasts and surface textures. The front bears an inscription that suggests the object's intended significance, while the blank back invites a semiotic reading. Here, absence becomes a signifier. The contrast between the inscribed front and blank back highlights an interplay between representation and absence. Barre's creation invites viewers to consider the relationships between history and memory. By juxtaposing the imperial symbol and text with a blank space, Barre prompts reflection on what is chosen to be remembered, and what is left unmarked. The box becomes a container not just for a medal, but also for the complexities of historical interpretation.