Field Notes July 2024
Paris • Brussels • Luxembourg • Amsterdam • Sweden • Denmark
Every journey has a story before it reaches its destination.
Jamison and I spent ten days traveling through Europe before I met Professor Will Doss in Copenhagen to present our paper, "Fairy Tale Narratives," at the DCA Conference. While presenting our research was the purpose of the trip, it quickly became only one chapter of a much larger story.
This journey also carried a deeply personal purpose. Along the way, we spread the ashes of my Uncle Bruce—a remarkable designer and one of the most creative people I have ever known. He loved Europe, especially France, and it felt only fitting that a part of him would remain in the places that had inspired him throughout his life.
Of course, traveling with Uncle Bruce led to a few unforgettable stories.
One evening, while taking a night cruise along the Seine, I decided it was the perfect moment to scatter some of his ashes. It seemed like the perfect tribute...until I realized the wind wasn't carrying them out over the river. Instead, it was gently carrying them onto the unsuspecting passengers on the deck below us. I was absolutely mortified. Looking back, I have no doubt Uncle Bruce would have laughed harder than anyone.
That same evening, Jamison and I met two wonderful young women from Ireland aboard the boat. What began as a casual conversation turned into hours of laughter, stories, and shared experiences. Before we knew it, we were sitting together at a restaurant until nearly three o'clock in the morning. It was one of those evenings that could never have been planned but somehow became one of the memories I treasure most.
Traveling with Uncle Bruce also led to another memorable moment at the Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort. Security became understandably concerned about the small container of ashes in my bag, and I found myself trying to convince them not to confiscate my uncle. Somehow, after a rather surreal conversation, they smiled, handed him back, and wished us a good day. Once again, I couldn't help but think how much he would have enjoyed the story.
Between those unforgettable moments, we wandered the streets of Paris, explored the historic centers of Brussels and Luxembourg, spent three nights aboard a houseboat in Amsterdam, experienced the excitement of Formula 1 race weekend, and discovered the quiet beauty of Scandinavia. Every stop became an opportunity to slow down, observe, sketch, and appreciate how history, culture, and design shape the places we visit.
By the time I arrived in Copenhagen to meet Will and present our paper, I realized the conference had become only the final chapter of the journey. The sketches, conversations, unexpected friendships, and moments of laughter had become just as meaningful as the research itself.
Looking back, I realize this trip wasn't simply about presenting a paper. It was about honoring someone who helped shape my creative life, sharing an unforgettable adventure with Jamison, discovering new places, and being reminded that the very best travel stories are rarely the ones we plan.
These pages are my way of preserving the moments that shaped this journey—so I can return to them, and perhaps share them with you.
— Marla Emory
