Arabella Poku

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Blog Post 4: Iris Choi , Peer Review

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Upon reading Iris Choi’s second blog post entitled ‘Blog 2: Themes reflection task’, I gathered a genuine and actualized sense of understanding but also willingness to learn more and acknowledge past ignorance, with regards to the better lives themes.

This can be seen in the opening sentences when Choi expresses how she was unaware of how the better lives themes could affect the fashion industry prior to starting this unit.

Choi identified problems within the industry as shown when she wrote “In the long run, if we do not make changes to our lifestyle, irreversible damage will occur.” The clear and concise statement illustrates she has an intelligible understanding of the theme ‘Social Responsibility’ as she is presenting this statement to not only herself but everyone reading by utilizing the inclusive pronoun ‘we’. This word selection allows everyone to feel that they too are responsible for the potential outcome of the future; in addition to that, they also feel they are a part of the resolution.

I also noticed that Choi covered the Better Lives theme of diversity by mentioning that magazines continuously utilise models that an agenda of perfection, which wrongfully, encourages many to “ pursue one kind of body shape unconditionally.” I think her use of the adjective ‘unconditionally’ is very effective as it relays the dangerous extent to which any are willing to go to, to achieve standards pushed and marketed to them.

Being more diverse allows plenty of people to feel seen and well represented which can deviate from anyone feeling extreme pressure to fit into a certain box the industry has created. This issue is one that Choi has explained fully. Furthermore, she has delineated the repercussions clearly for others to comprehend. “. People may do things to affect their health such as losing weight by taking illegal pills. Body shaming become a serious problem. Our society is not inclusive enough.”

This indicates, again, that she is not only aware of the unjust on goings but also that it must be changed to inspire positive and practical change for future and upcoming creative’s. This links both themes of ‘Social Responsibility’ and ‘Diversity’ in a productive manner.

C hoi goes on to highlight the importance of sustainability; another one of the three Better Lives themes. I specifically thought it to be very ethical and moral of her to suggest some ways she could implement sustainable living into her life. “I would like to stop consuming fast fashion brand products and support sustainable minority brand.”

Additionally, she also thought of a catchy slogan she could utilise to raise public awareness “Repair, Rewear, Relove” Moreover, she took it a step further by thinking of strategies that would strike a chord with Gen Z to get them involved. This considered strategy shows Choi has really thought about how to reach differing demographics and please her customer base, all whilst enforcing the theme and key messages surrounding sustainability. This stipulates a proactive approach.

From analysing this written piece it is clear how much progress has been made since commencing the better lives project. It is also plausible to say that she not only has a clear understanding of the themes but has transparent and innovative ideas on how to execute them into her own practice.

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Blog post 3 – Project Outcome Reflection

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My time on contemporary photography has taught me copious amounts about how much power photography has to emit a message which is particularly fitting for the times we are in right now.

Our brief was ‘Photography and the Family’ as well as being asked to capture 1) a self – portrait 2) someone in the home 3) an absent picture. I thought to do more of a spontaneous shoot in contrast to a planned, organised scene. This was to express the feelings and emotions that are flaring up during this period of self – isolation as a family.

This module has enabled me to start considering other aspects of photography that I was not aware of prior to starting; more related the technical issues such as settings on the camera, aperture etc. From where I was at the beginning of the unit to where I am now, I have realised I am now focusing more specifically on other important aspects in shooting such as conducting a ..

All of these have respectively found a comfortable part in allowing me to a reach a developed final outcome – a series of portraits seemingly encapsulating the zeitgeist of the odd times we currently residing in.

However, I did not want my work to focus and relay isolating as a fundamentally ‘negative’ experience. Although it has been unprecedented I can say with certainty that many good things have come from this period. In particular, a sense of closeness in relatives that we have not ever had the chance to explore in this context before.

I demonstrated this by shooting natural photos of my father and sister embracing each other under the washing line. I chose this location as it is a traditionally staple piece of domestic living in the household and can be identified amongst many other cultures around the world as a domiciliary item that transcends wealth, race, culture etc.

This allows this shoot to have a more timeless aura as it does not covertly enable anyone to feel excluded from feeling a sense of resonance to the pictures as their an no explicit signs of anything that can be seen as a divide. This was a decision I made with intent because I desired my shoot to have somewhat of a familiarity to the main themes of the Better Lives unit; pushing myself in this way would permit me to actually utilize what I have learnt into this work and also my future endeavors.

In particular, Social Responsibility, as it did not feel right to be ignorant to the times we are in right now and conduct a shoot that felt superficial and ill-mannered in response to the situation. Therefore, I felt for my work to progress in a way that exemplifies the concepts and themes I have learnt in this unit, I must address this in a way that is polite and uplifting.

In contrast to how many creatives have operated in the past by simply ignoring many issues and continuing to work in a very surface level way.

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Blog 2 – Affecting my future work.

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Blog 2 – Better Lives themes influencing future work.

In these uncertain times it seems that one of the key themes of ‘Better Lives’ has become exceptionally relevant, now more than ever. Social responsibility has become a large factor in the lives of many in order to aid the global effort of ‘staying home’ to save millions.

Perhaps in the past the reason behind the lack of social responsibility, as well as accountability, is due to the fact many have not been directly affected by the issue and therefore do not feel as close in proximity to the detrimental consequences.  Being  that the very nature of COVID-19 is a pandemic, suddenly those who usually turn a blind eye are now engaging in taking responsibility as there could be forthright repercussions if not.

This pandemic has taught me to that to grasp the public’s full attention, and keep hold of it, you must starkly lay out all the causes and effects, without dilution or disclaimers otherwise it is not taken seriously.

This was demonstrated when the prime minister directly addressed the nation about the importance of staying inside but was practically made a mockery of when citizens still continued to act without caution. Following this a lockdown was sanctioned, illustrating the extreme measures that had to be taken for the public to begin take treat this pandemic with severity.

      Studying creative direction, but also selecting photography as a better lives option, has given me grasp of the type of outreach and power I have to change the perspective of what is deemed ‘normal’ through my own work. With regards to diversity, much of it is not only in race but in the representation of a multitude of non – identical body types, social classes, abilities etc. Diversity manifests in contrasting ways for many so it is important to ensure that when creating a body of work it fills the appetite of consumers, not for superficial reasons but simple sensibility.  

On a more personal level, I can relate to the feeling of being underrepresented, whether it came to my race, body type etc. This left me with an odd feeling of ‘outsider syndrome’  to feel as if the larger majority does not want to you as what is considered ‘good’ or the standard is what you are not creates unpleasant feelings of unworthiness. I do not want anyone to look at my work and feel that it is something does not grasp an attainable reality in any sense (unless it is for effect).

To do that would be to contribute to a cycle that has been ongoing for years; there is nothing ‘innovative’ or ‘groundbreaking’ about that, in fact, it is rather mundane.  To inspire another wave of creative’s we must first give them a reflection of themselves so they feel accepted and wanted, not as if they are an anomaly.  


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Blog 1; The ‘Other’

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Representation in the media is a concept that many are struggling to come to terms with in 2020. Narratives have been emphasised and reinforced by the media for many years creating various false ideals/truths regarding race – as this has been ongoing for many years, it is neither easy or quick to change the discourse and thoughts of the masses to evoke change.

Prior to this lecture I had a clear notion of diversity and representation on a level that was very much opposite to ‘surface’. I understand it from a particular stance as I am part of the minority but also from a very rare perspective as I was raised in a society that depicts the complete opposite of diversity and representation. Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire is an extremely white, exclusive and affluent area. In that sense that there are certain parameters in place maximising the likelihood of it being kept that way, the area lacks diversity in the highest degree; however, it is unlikely that will happen soon as there are many socioeconomic factors that make this more difficult to achieve. 

When discussing representation and diversity I relate immensely as I was the ‘token’ for many years of my life, much of that time spent innocently oblivious to what was occuring around me. 

Teleica Kirkland’s lecture spoke volumes on many behaviours that are so common within minority communities in order to assimilate into dominant European society. Many of which I could relate to as adopting behaviours that are adjacent to eurocentric standards is a familiar process for those in the minority to not be viewed as ‘other’ and therefore not be treated as such as delineated within Frantz Fanon’s “Black Skin, White Face”.

Kirkland’s lecture also discussed how within society, it is hard for some to grasp how eurocentric standards are stifling when rich black celebrities at the forefront of social media exhibiting illustrious wealth; however, Kirkland explained how many ideas of ‘wealth’ and ‘luxury’ are extremely aligned with eurocentric standards. 

Furthermore, the type of narrative that is pushed about the image of the black entertainer is very clear in how it is structured. For example, many sports suggest that black males excel better but also push a concept that their bodies are biological machines that excel within those areas, emphasising they are an ‘other’ and straying them from western standards. The theory of ‘other’ suggests through these connotations anything non – white is continually viewed as ‘othering’ from European standards. This concept is explained in Stuart Hall’s ‘Spectacle of the other’.

On the other hand, there is a ‘model minority’ which is viewed as ‘white adjacent’ and better fitting. This enabled me to ponder over the sad reality of how minorities feel the need to stray from their established backgrounds in order to be viewed as more favourable in dominant society. 

This lecture struck an extremely powerful chord with me as it highlighted the harsh truths of representation and diversity. Not from a place of heightened emotion but factual perspective.

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