Blog Post 2 – Sustainability in the time of Covid-19.
Having looked at the Power and Empathy lectures when writing my first blog post, I now have other areas in which I am focusing on; the broader theme of Sustainability being the main one. It’s an area my mind keeps running to when thinking of the Better Lives themes and how they could possibly link to our current world. It’s something that lately I have been urged to look into and feel I need to focus on more. Without the excessive use of vehicles that we had before Covid-19, the world had a chance to heal; e.g rivers becoming clearer, less air pollution. The idea of sustainability slots into this as I hope that this could be a turning point for the human race, that people will dwell on the unnecessary travel done before, and how it would have effected the planet and society. This comes with the idea of unnecessary purchasing also. Society enjoys retail therapy, many, myself included, being fortunate enough to buy more than we need. Although I tend to buy from charity shops and secondhand as often as possible, I am guilty of buying from brands who may not have a sustainable approach to the industry; unsustainable items, or the treatment of employees.
The current state of the world changed my state of mind, encouraging me to make changes within personal life and creative practises, taking a more sustainable approach in order to give the planet a “break” from the torment it receives from society, also to allow those who have greater need for the items I purchase without the need of having them in my possession. As a Hair, Makeup and Prosthetics for Performance student I feel there are elements in both fashion and makeup industries that are to the point of being unachievable and unrealistic, making it harder to keep a sustainable mindset when working in industry. This links to a lecture in my first Blog; Power. We have the power to make changes in our personal and professional lives that could help to change the industries.
Companies, brands and individuals are realising that changes need to be made, and, though the virus didn’t begin due to lack of unsustainability, the methods to try and stop the spread have given an insight into ways in which the world could be bettered. Shops, companies and brands are willing to make changes; free delivery, discounts or differences for NHS staff, and even the closing down of companies. A lot of companies and businesses will have great loss from this, which is why I try my hardest to buy from local businesses and support them within this time. It’s interesting to see the world in a different light, and to try and adapt to changes that I want to make within my personal, creative and professional practises.
Within my Better Lives project, Contemporary Portrait Photography, we have already begun to look into how different photographers work with the ongoing situations around them and still get eye catching and impressive results; much like the situation we are in now, causing us to experiment more with Home Portraits. During the current pandemic, this was a way in which to work with what we have at this given time to produce photographs full of self expression.
27th April 2020 @ 2:23 pm
BLOG 4: PEER REVIEW (Sustainability)
Throughout the Better Lives modules, I have mainly focussed on the Better Lives themes of diversity and social responsibility in my own work, purely due to the fact that they take the majority of my interest initially. However, I felt as though for this final blog post, on peer reviewing fellow students work, I would delve into the Better Lives theme of sustainability.
Sustainability is a topic that is very prevalent in 2020, and I feel as though as a society, we need to be more educated on the matter, in order for change to occur.
I will be reviewing a blog written by Maisie Howse, entitled ‘Sustainability in the time of Covid-19’. I chose to peer review Howse’s blog in particular, due to the fact that Howse clearly explores the concept of what has changed in the midst of living in a current Covid-19 world, and what is still yet to change.
Throughout this blog, Howse informs the reader of how as consumers, we hold most of the power when it comes to making a long-term change, in regard to sustainability. Howse discusses how the planet needs a “break” from all the man-made destruction that we have placed upon it, and that now is a better time than any, to begin this journey of sustainable living.
Howse makes relevant references from the previous Better Lives lectures of which she attended, covering the Better Lives themes of social responsibility, as she discusses “the power we have to make changes in our personal lives that could help change the industries (fashion and makeup)”.
Howse then continues to discuss how brands and companies are currently attempting to work in the current Covid-19 climate, in order to support everyone in these trying times. She states “Shops, companies and brands are willing to make changes; free delivery, discounts or differences for NHS staff, and even the closing down of companies.”.
Furthermore, Howse also includes references to what she covered within her project of Contemporary Portrait Photography, and how self-expression can be captured through this, displaying effects of the current pandemic.
I feel as though collectively, the author covers a really current and critical topic within her blog post, as she has kept it current, relating to today’s Covid-19 society, and as a whole, it is something we can all relate to.
In regard to Howse’s coverage of all three Better Lives themes, there could have been some room to cover diversity perhaps, if the word count was larger, however I do feel as though Howse has discussed sustainability and social responsibility well. Further, to add to Howse’s exploration, maybe a brief reference to a specific case study could elevate this piece of writing, again, if the word count was larger.
Conclusively, Howse has displayed a good understanding of her knowledge around the current global issues, and how the fashion and makeup industry are using their role of social responsibility to make changes to adjust to the issues around sustainability during these trying times.