BLOG POST 2 – THEMES REFLECTION TASK
During my creative practice in this unit, I discovered links between elements of my Mask Making and Politics research and the Better Lives themes; such as cultural diversity in historical Venice through the use of carnival masks, and masked vegan activists who protested for social responsibility in Bath. A significant interest sparked while researching sustainability in the fashion industry and its contribution to global warming. I was shocked to learn that the industry accounts for 10% of global carbon emissions and remains the second largest industrial polluter, second only to oil. (Conca, 2020)
I realised that humanity is slacking in so many crucial departments that therefore contribute to the damage of our natural environment. This encouraged me to question my own actions and learn about ways in which I can make informed decisions in my future work.
In relation to my previous blog post, I would say that humans are disconnected, and we tend not to empathise with things that may be happening on the other side of the world thus not impacting us personally. In my project, I aimed to metaphorically put myself in the Arctic and look at the challenges and impacts of climate change there. When processing my own mask design, I plan to source materials in an eco-friendly way by using recycled items and textiles.
Upon researching the practices of fashion and cosmetics industries, I found that many brands pride themselves on being “green”, as though being seen as sustainable is almost a trendy fashion statement itself, giving a brand more consumer desirability. The problem is, the vagueness of the term allows companies to get away with hidden hypocrisy. This reminded me of Kenneth Worthy’s highlight on the difference between the desire to help and make change, and the ability to do so (Invisible Nature 2013). I learned that cosmetics brands Tarte Cosmetics and Lush (who thrive from being seemingly green and animal rights activists) produce products containing highly toxic carcinogens and ingredients that are rated 7/10 on the EWG toxicity scale (highly hazardous) (About EWG | Blissful Miss 2020). These are washed down drains into our water systems, rivers and lakes, causing harm to many life forms. Tartes’ products have even been found to contain carmine which is made from crushed beetles (Arnett, n.d.). Although it is upsetting to discover that so many brands lack empathy and choose profit over people and planet, it is also crucial to be educated with information like this so that we can make ethical choices and informed decisions as consumers, and as industry professionals. On the contrary, I would argue that not only the brands are responsible; as a population, we are thoughtless and inconsiderate; proof is seen in figures from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) that household waste is increasing and we aren’t recycling enough. As for clothing waste, we throw away an average of 70 pounds per person annually (80% of which ends up in landfill) (Knapton, 2020). I am frustrated with my own ignorance in my actions (or lack thereof) prior to now, and I am more mindful than ever to research and do what I can to make a difference, and to restrain from being disconnected.
REFERENCES
Conca, J., 2020. Making Climate Change Fashionable – The Garment Industry Takes On Global Warming. [online] Forbes.
Knapton, S., 2020. Recycling Rates Fall As 2020 Target Now Looks Unreachable. [online] The Telegraph.
Arnett, K., n.d. Is Tarte Makeup Really All Natural? – Kristen Arnett. [online] Kristen Arnett.
Worthy, K., 2013. Invisible Nature. Amherst, NY: Prometheus Books.
1st May 2020 @ 4:44 pm
For the peer review task, I looked at this as a way to educate myself on a topic I perhaps know less about. In this case, I chose to look at Mathilda Daniel’s post; Mathilda is a Makeup, Hair and Prosthetics for fashion student who chose to do Mask Making and Politics for her better lives subject. This is an area I am interested in and also plays a key role alongside both contemporary photography and creative direction, yet I arguably do not know a lot about.
Mathilda’s post covers a wide array of topics, yet one area that was emphasised was global warming- an important modern-day topic. Daniels’ post grabbed my attention immediately, as her opening paragraph finishes with ‘… the industry accounts for 10% of global carbon emissions and remains the second largest industrial polluter, second only to oil. (Conca, 2020)’. Mathilda then goes on to elaborate on this topic and talk about the way in which this information has influenced her work and changed her way of learning.
I completely agree with her statement that ‘humans are disconnected’ as we ‘tend not to empathise with things that may be happening on the other side of the world thus not impacting us personally’. This perhaps could be evidenced within less developed countries, as it is human habit to care more about things that affect us directly. It would have been interesting to delve into current day media (specifically big names such as the BBC, Sky News etc) in an attempt to uncover the way in which news is filtered so that only relatable topics are shown to the British public; nonetheless, I found Daniel’s work incredible eye opening.
In the final paragraph, Mathilda Daniels develops her views as she states ‘being seen as sustainable is almost a trendy fashion statement itself’. I found this statement very powerful and I suppose also subjective. Earlier this week, ASOS announced that they were ‘breaking up with paper returns’, as this would now be processed online. The hypocrisy comes from the fact that this is a fast-fashion brand with an incredibly high global footprint, not to mention the fact that garments are delivered in 100% plastic packaging.
As Mathilda draws to end her blog post, she states that ‘as for clothing waste, we throw away an average of 70 pounds per person annually (80% of which ends up in landfill) (Knapton, 2020).’, insinuating that humans are also to blame for global warming; I completely agree. Fast fashion brands and media work hand in hand; media manipulates readers into believing that they need multiple garments in order to keep up with new trends, whilst fast fashion brand supply the need for this. Mathilda Daniel’s blog post was incredibly informative and written in an engaging way; as she closes her post, she writes how she wants to ‘restrain from being disconnected.’ I also will make an effort to do this, as I now understand more on this topic.