90Archive: Cultural Preservation, and Keeping Storytelling Alive 

Introduction: 

What stories have changed your life? What photos feel like a distant memory? 90Archive is an homage to my lineage, giving a voice to the stories that shape one’s coming of age through visual and narrative storytelling. This project asks: how can photography and personal narrative preserve cultural memory while deepening our understanding of identity across generations? Through a curated culture magazine that blends interviews and archival imagery, 90Archive documents lived experiences and explores how memory, culture, and storytelling intersect to shape who we become. 

Literature Review:
Artistically, my work draws inspiration from the photography of Deana Lawson and Renell Medrano, whose images center intimacy, cultural specificity, and unapologetic representation. Lawson’s staged yet deeply personal portraits emphasize generational memory within domestic space, while Medrano captures contemporary youth culture with raw authenticity. From their work, I adopt the emphasis of emotional weight in everyday environments, extending these elements through an ethnographic and editorial framework that incorporates written narratives alongside imagery. 

Scholarly Influence: 

Scholarly influence further grounds this project. Luis Stephenson writes in Cultural Heritage: Its Significance and Preserving, “cultural heritage is a timeless treasure that connects to the roots, shapes, and identity and offers a window into the shared history” (Stephenson). Similarly, writer Rangle Roger emphasizes that photography serves as a powerful ethnographic tool, capable of capturing both individual presence and broader social relationships (Roger). My project builds on these ideas by combining personal storytelling with photographic documentation to highlight voices that are often overlooked, positioning memory as both an individual and collective archive. 

Methods: 

Art and photography have long served as powerful tools for revealing harsh realities and capturing moments of joy, even in unlikely places. Through storytelling, individuals can better understand their own identities and those of others, highlighting lived experiences often overlooked or silenced. Using an ethnographic lens and historical narrative, 90Archive aims to spark cultural dialogue and give voice to narratives that are often forgotten. This project is an exploration of culture, identity, and the heartfelt meaning behind remembrance and memory. 

Audience & Impact: 

At a time when educational narratives are being reshaped and marginalized communities are increasingly targeted, preserving these stories is crucial. There will come a day when we are no longer here, and the only traces of our lives may be the photographs and letters we leave behind. With this project, I have combined my passion for narrative storytelling, photography, and listening to explore the depth of expression. 

Acknowledgments: 

To my peers and interviewees, Anoushka Belgi, Francesa Onianwah, Makayla Johnson, Grace Pak, and Nikita Chhetri, your heritage stories are beautiful. Thank you to my advisor, Harold. I hope I have been able to honor the stories of those who are no longer here and keep them alive through storytelling.

References

Randle, Rodger. “Ethno-Photography Opening Windows Onto Other Cultures.” The Ou  Center for Studies in Democracy and Culture , tulsagrad.ou.edu/csdc/Cultural_Photography.html. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025. 

Stephenson, Luis. “Cultural Heritage in Photography.” Planksip®, planksip®, 5 Jan. 2025 https://www.longdom.org/open-access/cultural-heritage-its-significance-and-preserving105460.html.