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Week 11

It has all come to fruition. The Website is in my belief a strong presentation of our palimpsest which acknowledges the different levels clearly and in an interesting format. The perspective of which you use the website is as if you are a consumer looking for a new product, which happens to be human features which New You Technologies provides. It’s a dystopian future which is an extension of our obsession with adjusting our image to meet beauty standards. To pair this relationship with image and how we process death is a new way of determining what our future may hold. On the journey to creating this website the group worked well and communication was very strong when making sure parts were finalised. With group work some challenges arise such as making sure everyone is on the same page but in time we overcame this and also the challenges of some of our group members working on different time zones and in another countries. To create a strong project in such trying times has proven the members in the group have been committed. 

Personally this project has challenged me in terms of working with people from differently courses who work differently to me or don’t understand my creative vision in the same way I do, but its shown me how important communication is and how being patient and assertive can be a successful way of getting the best results. I hope I have inspired other members to not be afraid to stepping outside of the box like they have shown me how to concentrate my vision into something tangible. 

This course has been interesting in the way that has opened my mind to ways of thinking and interpreting popular culture. I have always been attracted to debate and hearing multiple opinions because its so important to look beyond your own understanding. I feel sadly that it was disturbed prematurely due to covid-19, however in itself I have taken this as a strange privilege to live through such a unprecedented time and in the nature of popular culture take these life experiences with me when I put my own stamp in the world. 

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Week 10

We’re not allowed outside. It’s been sad. Haven’t hugged my grandparents in 2 weeks. However I live luxuriously with a whole garden to spend the day in. I’m very lucky. My mum is now on the frontline and in contact with covid-19 patients. I am living in a dystopian reality and finding it more surreal as the days tick on.

In terms of group work, this week we worked on our part of the assignments and we then all spoke on Zoom to get an update and make sure we were all on the same page. There seems to be one voice in the group most of the time and not enough debating, I take a step back and speak when relevant as find arguing useless and unprogressive. Although there is one predominant voice it doesn’t mean group work hasn't been evenly shared in fact everyone has been working really hard and I’m really lucky to work with an encouraging group of people. Thanks to this session I’ve got some more ideas in regards to image content for the website such as transformation pictures similar to how face adjusting/airbrushing apps advertise on your phone. We have ensured we all have the same narrative on the website as perspective is really important in presenting this idea. I have a lot of faith as raabia showed us the website and it’s looking really good and we ironed out some bits that needed changing and got it to where it needed to be.

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Week 8 & 9

We didn’t attend class week 8 but the group and I attempted to organise a meeting day but unfortunately Miss Coronavirus decided to really hammer down, which lead me to make the decision to leave London and return to my home town to support my mum who drives ambulances and my elderly grandparents. In honesty this was a tough time to put energy into my university studies, unsurprisingly they were not a priority. Other members had to fly home to their home countries, a very stressful and scary time for them. When prompted by one member in the group chat, to put more energy and time into this project I had to assert and remind the group (and stick up for those who had to fly across the world last minute) that in amongst a pandemic academia becomes minute in the shadow of a pandemic that is stealing lives and putting people like my mum in severe risk. Ironically this module, based on popular culture, is the exact exploration of what is popular and I’m sorry to say during week 8 uni was the last thing on my mind. 

Week 9 became proactive, we were settled in some way as a group and were physically in the places we needed to be which allowed us to come together and use Houseparty to gather our ideas and adjust them to the new way of presenting this assignment. We chose to create a website from the perspective of a retailer (human feature transfer) in the year 2150. In order to show the layers it would work as sort of “our history” like many other retailing websites provide. This adjustment was great for me and the other tech savvy creatives in the group because it meant we could excel in our tasks. With most of the group given sections of the layers to write pieces on, myself and raabia focused on the website and artwork. Seeing everyones faces and hearing their voices lead to an easier more productive session.

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Week 7

- apologies for late posting ive managed to access my Tumblr after some weeks-

This was a very important session to come together and bring our concept to a more rounded tangible idea. There was a lot of important criteria we wanted to translate in this idea such as the believability of this kind of future. This session really got my brain going and I felt the flow of ideas between the group were fresh and on subject. I feel quite pleased and certain about the idea of bodies being cultivated for their aesthetic features such as hair eyes and skin, this is a reflection on current popular beauty trends such as tanning, double eyelid surgery, cosmetic enhancement and cultural appropriation. 

I thought the group dynamic in this session worked the best it has done so far, we were all working on the same page and a few of us (myself included) help steer conversation in the right direction. Everyone in my group were happy to share ideas and felt comfortable in doing so.

When presenting this near finished outline a few issues raised such as the idea that cremation is in fact bad for the environment and may not be an option in the future gave us a few pointers to work on and adjust, although in the nature of a hypothetical future who is to say cremation may not evolve into a environmentally friendly option.

Looking forward to working with the group further to bring this idea into a presentation, we have debated incorporating audience participation and using technology as a tool.

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Week 6, Group Palimpsest Concept 

A few members of our group were missing but we still managed to develop a concept which initially started from the conversation of the afterlife. As a group we recognised the after life is commonly separated by certain ‘levels’ heaven, hell, purgatory and reincarnation. 

We were fascinated with where it originated from and in most cases we realised the origin was religion. But we were straying from the realms in which we wanted to focus on. The general idea was that our palimpsest was to reflect the journey on our way to understanding why we have these connotations of the afterlife and how that understanding would evolve in the future.

Would we know what happens after death? Would it change the way we behave on earth and influence our actions? After speaking with Caroline we realised how are idea was very much in the foetal stages and that presenting the concept to the class would help us develop more of our idea.

When presenting and discussing our concept Adrian made a point which gave our concept more of a foundation - we weren't playing with the idea of the afterlife, we were talking about the human relationship with death. We agreed and felt it made more sense. I mentioned how humans react to the news that they're dying and I said it was a ‘mind fuck’ but Adrian said that was my young point of view speaking and that a lot of people just accept it and don’t want to carry on the suffering. I don’t like it when people assume statements I say haven’t come from a place of experience and understanding. My dad died from terminal cancer when I was 14 and I can sadly and knowledgeably say that it WAS a mind fuck. He would rather have died there and then rather than suffer but he also did not want to die and had to live weeks after diagnosis with that playing on his mind. So my ‘young’ perspective isn’t quite as selfish carefree and lacking in knowledge than perhaps Adrian assumed. 

So my reflection is that we need to develop and research the human relationship with death and delve into the reasons behind the associative fear/acceptance.  

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Week 5 Intro to palimpsest

I wasn’t present for this week and missed the chance to fully understand what a Palimpsest is. 

However I’ve put some images together which were intriguing and I found interesting. I often save collections of photos which may include modern art or fashion and makeup related.

I think craving pleasing aesthetic is inherently human. It’s one of my favourite things about being human.

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Week 4 Create

Using popular culture as our inspiration the group and I were to create a piece of art which reflected it. Sitting amongst the group we considered creating a physical piece of art with the items around us however it soon developed into the ethical consideration consumers take before buying a product. I had mindlessly eaten a packet of crisps so much in the way that I knew I was peckish and my automated reaction was to consume a snack. However can we take this approach with all of the material items we surround ourselves with or perhaps choose to consume? Those who watch the news or perhaps love the planet cannot deny it's quick and frightening escalation, nor can we deny the scarily large and intimidating world of manufacturing and production and the many secrets it holds. 

Our performance had a Brechtian effect, its aim to make the audience the subject and cause them to think and question. Presenting an array of items to the class, a faux fur bucket hat, empty packet of crisps, lip balm, uggs and chewing gum, we provided a picture presentation and asked “Would you still buy these products if each of them came with a photo” Each item had an ethically questionable journey before they sat in front of our class. It surprised some to find out information such as the need to slaughter sheep for the fur used in Uggs when in fact you could question why the wool is not sourced as a bi product of the meat industry- and this is where you land in darker waters. 

It evoked the reality of being a consumer in modern civilisation, every person comes with their own hypocrisies- I personally try to eat as near to a vegan diet where I can but I also regularly purchase clothing from fast fashion sites. This subject also ignites a kind of natural defence we have when our integrity is questioned, very few people enjoy being told what they're doing wrong - especially in everyday activities. But are we - the consumer- the people who should be answering for questionable ethics and damaging practices? Or do we look solely to the producers the big cooperate bosses and businesses? But aren’t they made up of US? I realised it wasn’t that easy to point fingers, I was ready to blame the manufacturer- but they’re only functioning because I’m buy-ing. It's the fundamental practice of supply and demand. 

So we should demand more, we should collectively demand transparency and promise NOT to buy if it doesn't match our collective stances. But when have the human race ever been on the same page? 

The most radical comment was another student who said “The only solution is to stop buying at all, we don’t NEED *said items* they aren't a necessity” and no matter how passionately I felt about my outfit that day, she was right. I didn’t need any of it.

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Week 3, Applying Critical Theory to Popular Culture.

With news including the likes of Philip Schofields sexual orientation, coronavirus, Award season and constant Love island updates my group wanted to discuss something within todays popular news and culture which spoke volumes for a generation going forward.

Generations- something which couldn't be applied more naturally to one of the longest standing institutions in Britain, the Royal Family. Meghan Markle previously an actress in Hollywood and now the wife of Prince Harry and mother to his son and newly appointed Duchess of Sussex has redefined what it means to be obsessed over by the media. However it wasn't the celebratory narrative Kate Middleton receives but instead the British media has attacked Megan with negative and destructive onslaught. Dr. Shola shared the voice of many others when attending This Morning and suggesting (with evidence) the media’s choices and the treatment Meghan has received is covert racism. 

Presenting this idea and discussing it further in terms of Post colonialism and Marxist Theory my group justified why we believed there is an undeniable racist undertone to Britain perpetuated by the middle class and important figures in British Media. What had started as analysis of an individual expanded to become just one source which justified our idea of covert racism. As for response the group (which I would boldly say is -mostly- open minded, reflective individuals who sway towards a more liberal understanding of the world) we found an agreeable understanding of what we had uncovered a long with suggestions of different examples which supported this view (Lawrence Fox’s comments in recent TV denying racism in Britain and suggesting that (as a white middle class male) being told there is racism is in fact reverse racism... hilarious.). However on individual questioned “Why is she so important? Who cares? Why does she need to be idolised and protected?” 

I answered “Because she is still a human in a vulnerable position no matter who she is or what she has come from. This type of onslaught is dangerous and damaging” I elaborated further in other aspects but the main point I was trying to drive is that in this statistical world of media saturation and cultural exposure we have in fact forgotten to recognise life itself. The deaths relating to the coronavirus are merely numbers, which have been unfairly attached to an ethnicity, Phillip Schofield revealing he is gay is unjust because he ruined his 27 year marriage. Just because there is a screen between yourself and the news does not mean the subject before you is wax, lifeless with no emotion- they too are actually a clockwork, a storyline, a BEING with emotions. 

This week made me consider the journey in which popular culture is taking us, we are either heading for robotic minds and submitting to technological slavery or we are going to have a cultural awakening and realise the necessity to return to the core of what we are- human. 

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Disruptive Model’s Week 2

As a group we considered what disruptive model we could create in today’s society. What is it to be disruptive in a culture of imitation and conformity? 

Before delving into my personal reflection my group and I came up with “Tinder Cafe” The idea is that the existence of the cafe is to move people away from their online identities and into the real world. The negative conception of the app is that Tinder is not an entirely safe place- so by creating a tangible experience users can avoid the dark spots and unknown parts of the app alone.

In terms of disruption, this model is almost ironic in the way that this is what disruptive the dating industry is- moving back to the original way of meeting people- by actually meeting them. The world of technology is no longer an accompanying tool of day to day life but an actual lifestyle. To get to disruption was initially challenging - how can you be disruptive when so much is monitored, filtered and adjusted? This point was proven when an idea was produced by another group called “ReBeaut” the idea was to buy products rejected by customers who tried once and didn't want it anymore and then sell it on in honesty to a market of people are perhaps looking for cheaper prices in well known brands. In brief I thought the idea was compliant with the need for sustainability and something I would personally use. But the question of product safety and quality was raised which followed to big brand interest and law suits...

To be “creative” and to think outside of the box would be to create a new one slightly bigger than the existing. There seems to be a lack of breaking free. However I felt intrigued when one group suggested an app in which you are able to link with a stranger in your choice of location such as London and they will give you a tour. It wasn’t long before safety was challenged and the group were prepared to answer with ideas of gps tracking, ID verification but it was interrupted by Caroline who suggested why rebelling against safety codes and procedures weren't more disruptive than adhering? She was right, when my mum decided to travel the most assurance she’d have was the travel book and map in her bag and the possibility of one of her postcards reaching her mum in a couple of weeks. 

This is where my consideration of disruption in a conforming society, continuing to evolve and challenge is arguably doubtful. To rebel in western society is to actually speak your mind- not filter or adjust- to just speak and patiently wait whilst the audience considers if they too feel the same or if their flock mentality may slowly return them to a safe place. 

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My pop art styled illustration is on one of my new icon’s in popular culture right now. Bong Joon Ho South Korean director of the Oscar nominated ‘Parasite’. My attention drew to him along with thousands of other supporters on twitter when his speech at the Golden Globes circulated. His ‘class war’ foreign language film has engaged viewers of all languages but also ignited conversation regarding foreign film in mainstream Hollywood. His film has also shed light on the increasing income inequality in developing countries and the  struggle when you're at the bottom. Originally known for horror Bong Joon Ho stepped into a genre blending film style with Parasite. 

Accolades and attention aside he has become an icon in my eyes because he dared to challenge the conception that foreign film are for those with patience or exceptional reading abilities. As someone who grew up fortunate of my exposure to international film- starting with Japanese Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away I have always appreciated the fact that although there is the difference in language there is no barrier if you're willing to accept a few words guiding you through a new experience. He strikes me as someone who may just become an anti Hollywood icon without the intention of such. From what I have gathered in interviews and images he appears approachable, clever and not “show-biz”.

What lead me to believe he is an icon in his own right what his translated statement art the Golden Globes:

“Once you overcome the 1-inch-tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films,”

Although his intention may not have been to have a subtle dig at the film industry but I’ve decided to believe it was. Similar to Roma, Parasite has broken through the boundary of best international film but has received nominations alongside Hollywood blockbusters in Best Film and Best Director. No South Korean has done this before. 

Thanks to twitter and meme culture, Bong Joon Ho flexed his accidental coolness in the Vanity Fair cover in which my illustration originates. I’ll be keeping an eye on ‘Bong’ and the ripples he’ll be making in the industry. 

twitter user sweatpantspapi said “Bong Joon Ho said it’s still Hot Girl Summer.”

I think it is.