The Format of an Adoptionprocess
This dossier lies atop of a stack of 8991 A4 papers, exactly the number of days it has been since I was stolen, found and brought to the orphanage. Exactly the number of days it has been since my adoption-process started.
The aim of the work is to show the format, in physical size and emotional weight, of an adoption-process, how much shared effort is involved, the conversations, the meetings, the mails and the mountain of bureaucratic paperwork. But more importantly is that the research and extensive dossier show how an actual adoption- process unfolds from the experiences of an adoptee, to then be able to reflect and process the estranging process of adoption.
An adoption-process is for many a taboo and for most adoptees a void. A void of knowledge, understanding and emotion. Adoption is a life-changing phenomena with enormous impact on involved parties but naturally mostly with adoptees themselves.
This is exactly where the main problem lies, since many adoptees process late in their life, or not at all what it means to be adopted and what impact this has.
This work lends itself to address this problem, narrated through a partly personal story.