Better Lives Blog 2 – Themes Reflection
During my creative practise of the Better Lives unit, I have learned new ways of processing my thoughts and research when designing within a performance context; linking to the Better Lives themes of Diversity, Social Responsibility and Sustainability.
Usually, before designing a sculpt/ piece of work, I would carry out more theory based research and look into how a concept is used within just that one particular area I am designing for. However, now having began my practical work for Better Lives, I have practised applying my research and looking deeper into more realistic ways it fits in with the world as a whole and how it will have an impact on the future as well as the present.
Before beginning my design process for mask making and politics, a great depth of research into my chosen topic of Animal Rights Activism was essential. Within this research, I was shocked at the statistics of participants within this group; with the average protestor being aged between 18-24 years, making up nearly 50% of the activists group population. This therefore impacted the way I designed, as the younger statistics show that my work would be more exposed to those who will be shaping our future eventually, thus meaning if my work wasn’t sustainable and well sourced, I would be giving the youthful population the wrong message, and we would be continuing with the unsustainable cycle we find ourselves in today.
The themes of the Better Lives course draws a wider picture for which our creations effect the world and consequently makes me far more aware of the materials I am choosing to use and ways in which I design when portraying such an important message. The unit made me far more aware of how my work can be used to make a statement, even if it is not the statement of its initial purpose. Focussing on Animal Rights Activism was important to me as it can be applied to both a performance and fashion context. Animal Rights Activists main goal is to put an end to Speciesism. To convey the stark realism of the issues of animal testing for makeup brands, factory farming, systematic mistreatment of animals and the use of real fur and leather within the fashion industry, I designed a mask showing a pigs head morphed into a more humanised form with the intent of mystifying and intimidating the viewer, making them feel uneasy. Since beginning the Better Lives project and linking it to my creative practise, I am more comfortable with pushing these boundaries of the message I want to share and becoming more passionate about the work I am producing, as I know it can have even just a small impact on the industry in which we are approaching.
This realisation from the Better Lives themes will always be a conscious part in my design process moving forward. Having had the opportunity to research, design and begin to make my own piece of work based upon these themes I am aware of the impact production and outcome can have on our world and environment both now and in years to come.
20th April 2020 @ 2:56 pm
I really like this blog post. The in-depth consideration of what better lives could mean to you, and how you could bring it forwards into your design process was really insightful. You make some really significant points about the pushing of boundaries that is definitely necessary for new creatives. I think that this is something exemplary of every better lives project. The development of new approaches to the better lives themes is central to our progress.
It was very interesting to read how your research process shifted when working with the better lives brief. This is something I also experienced and can attest to both its positive and negative impacts during the project.
I think you reflected fully on the themes of social responsibility and sustainability. However I don’t think you have reflected enough on diversity.
You may consider thinking about who within certain groups of activitists and protestors is getting the biggest platforms, and who is generally being disregarded.
This could lead to some interesting conversations about the public view of activism.
In conclusion I think this is a really well done reflective blog post.
– Shaw Fowler