Design Proposal
PROBLEM
Not long ago, I came across a speech by the former U.S. President Barack Obama at the 2015 Grammy Awards. . His speech called for an end to domestic violence against women. Issues like domestic violence, sexual harassment, gender discrimination and inequality of rights still persist in a developed country like the United States. Black, white and Asian women, who do the same job at the same time, receive much lower pay than men (Time’ s Up 2017.). In many rural areas and even big cities in China, women are treated more like a fertility tool. The conservative thinking of the older generation still prefers boys over girls. Young girls in China have no right to learn, no freedom and can only work at home. What is truly frightening is that newborn baby girls will be treated as goods and trafficked to other countries as sex slaves (The RINJ Foundation, 2018 ).
It is not hard to find that many people think this is a question that should not be discussed openly. This is still considered a taboo topic. Old ideas, like a huge prison, trapping us firmly in it. Many people even accept this as a tradition and feel that this behavior is legal.
CHANGE
However, I feel that in this modern era, things are beginning to change. We have become more independent, thoughts becoming more mature. We start to take this series of issues seriously. As long as there is a person, brave enough to stand up to resist. There will be millions of women who follow us and fight for themselves. For example, the recent popularity of the #ME TOO movement has shown that change is coming. At the recent 2017 Golden Globes, most of the actresses wore black dresses supporting the #ME TOO movement that has revealed the shady side and sexual assault associated with show business. Many directors, producers and actors have abused their power and influence to sexually assault or harass actresses. These actresses have no place to appeal and are afraid to speak openly. In the past few months since the movement began, things are different, they are no longer alone. They have become braver and started to tell us those horrible experiences. They are less afraid to share their experiences of sexual assault in the hope of ending these practices.
Many artists have also ongoing efforts to change people's attitudes and actions. Some artists encourage us with music. This is the power of music. Others use words to support us.
Like Maya Angelou, she is a great writer, poet, dancer, director, actress, and she is also a black woman. Her childhood was dark; she experienced the traumatic effects of the apartheid system on blacks. She was raped by her mother's boyfriend at the age of eight. This time the damage not just from physical damage, directly caused by psychological problems. Even she don’t want to talk or make communicate with others. At that time she had aphasia. The other apart damage from racial discrimination. Her experience makes people feel hopeless but she eventually became a fantastic woman. She challenged people's opinion that fate cannot be changed and that black women should be respected.
There are many other historically excellent women like Maya Angelo. They have broken the boundaries, why women can not become an artist? Why can women not become a scientist or mathematician? Why women cannot become great people? These fabulous women who break the boundaries are like the motivation for our progress. With them, we will be encouraged. Their actions and strength of their spirit deserves our study. Just as the artist I mentioned above, who uses language to express her ideas and encourage us to be positive. Be brave in the face of all difficulties and break the boundaries of society.
Primary research
Interview
I want to know: Are there any girls suffered a bad experience. Did they tell their families? If so how to overcome difficulties? What if the victim is you, what you should do ? Will you be brave and stand up, fight for their own. Or keep silence. I want to understand what people think about this situation now.
Of course, this is anonymous.
Design ideas (Experiment )
I hope my design can give people a sense of strength. A fight against unfairness in fate. An attitude, positive attitude. Never give up . This collection can be: runway body adornment or storytelling jewelry. From the beginning there are boundaries, there are difficulties. Then we started the fight against the difficulties, and finally, we got the best of ourselves.
For example, a butterfly's growth process. From the ugly caterpillar to a beautiful butterfly.
Lace has always been a beautiful and elegant representative. However, the first one of the most common thread, slowly woven. Then add staining, the last is the exquisite lace.
- And for this idea influence by the a photographer's work-Daryna Barykina.
I can use the feeling of broken, it is like difficult to hurt us. We don’t have that beautiful face anymore. This concept also can be think in another way, like broken is our difficulty, we break through the difficulties. We get the “rebirth”.
Also like Phoenix Nirvana. Difficulties are like flames. Test us, can we persevere. Finally, we regain a new life. Difficulties are like flames, after experiencing difficulties then we could get the rebirth.
Storytelling (process )
This collection represented one great woman's story like Maya Angelou, there are many difficulties in her life. Each piece represents a stage. From she get hurt to become famous and successful. Also that I mentioned above, artist have a kind of power to transfer the ideas and thought. I can use her book as the inspiration. Might be some words in the book could encourage you.
Material:
For this collection I still want to use two different material, mix the soft lace and hard metal. Soft fabric represents the appearance of women. Hard metal is like our heart. We are not only beautiful appearance, but also have a strong heart.
References
Barykina, D. (2015). Violent Beauty [photograph ]. Retrieved from https://cdn.trendhunterstatic.com/thumbs/beauty-project-with-a-social-message-domestic-violence-awareness.jpeg
The RINJ Foundation. (2018). "MeToo" Works for adults, not for Children. Sadly, children are the majority silent victims of sexual predators. (in depth) The RINJ Foundation -. Retrieved from https://rinj.org/metoo/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMImfH-rY3Z2AIVByQrCh1O0AH6EAAYASAAEgKYPfD_BwE
Time’s Up 2017. (2017). FACTS. Retrieved from https://www.timesupnow.com/