Nostalgia is (not) Productive, explores the concept of grief and loss through text and textiles. Referencing Pauline Boss’ theory of Ambiguous Loss, as well as her personal grief of experiencing a loved one’s struggle with mental illness, Kristi Poole-Adler questions what it means to grieve someone who is still living.
This work investigates whether nostalgia is an effective coping mechanism for grief, or if it re-inscribes trauma through rumination. By using time consuming methods, such as stitching and weaving, her actions facilitate a reflective and contemplative space to mourn. With her thesis project, Kristi Poole-Adler aims to create critical dialogue on how mental illness affects familial relationships.