Shruti Ramia

1st Year Design and Education student @ UNSW. Studio Gateway, 2017.

[immer-und-immerwieder]

I’m the one I should love

Kim Seokjin (via immer-und-immerwieder)

[yoontual]

i feel very strongly about the concept of taemin taking what he has been criticised for and made fun of his entire career and turning it into his own way of expressing himself more freely and also taking the oportunity to open the conversation about gender stereotypes and why it’s silly to expect a man to behave a certain way and a woman to behave another certain way and i think what he did in the whole move era is very important and goes beyond the more visible changes ( like wearing more “feminen” or gender neutral clothing, having dance moves that are usually reserved for women, having all female backup dancers and doing just one choreography showing that male and female can move and act the same way and blend together and there’s no need of having that barrier between genders, etc) and it sits more on a personal level? I think taemin really grew and learnt a lot with move, not only about himself but also about topics that aren’t discussed as much in society, and I’m really proud of him

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Nowness distribution - Videography: Sasha Teffaha, Editor: Saira Arias @lynette-vo @cindyjiang @studiogatewaysai

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INSPIRATIONS

Our initial inspiration for this survival guide was this other survival guide we found online:

Another work that really inspired us was a PDF collective publication we saw in one of the examples in Moodle of a comic book-like PDF publication:

https://moodle.telt.unsw.edu.au/pluginfile.php/2730800/mod_folder/content/0/Clare-Milledge_HD-Comics_Qi.pdf?forcedownload=1 

These two works of art as well inspiration from other comic books, manga and picture books lead us to our final work. 

@lynette-vo @studiogatewaysai @cindyjiang

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How To Survive In The NOW Publication 

@lynette-vo​ @studiogatewaysai​ @cindyjiang

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NOWNESS BOOKLET DISTRIBUTION

On Sunday the 22/10/17, my group and I headed out to the city to distribute our printed “How To Survive In The NOW” booklets to people on the streets. We wanted to explore the idea of the world of NOWNESS we millennials live in. 

We first headed out to Darling Harbour to hand out the booklets, however, since it was Sunday morning, there were not many millennials out on the streets for us to hand out. Hence, we decided to go back to UNSW Kensington to distribute the booklets. We stood in front of the library, but there were not many people there either. But eventually, we handed the booklets out. 

OBSERVATIONS:

- Some people were very uninterested in our booklet and tried to avoid contact with us by walking away or saying no. This is similar to what we said in our booklet to “avoid social interactions by putting in earphones”.

- Some people were very excited by the title of the booklet as well as the inside graphics which were digitally drawn by Lynette and Cindy. 

Today, people are overloaded with  ‘extra’ or ‘unnecessary’ information every day either on social media, the news or on the streets. This experiment correlates with our survival guide as we wish to showcase the reality of NOW. NOWNESS as a way of avoiding interactions with people and gathering information only necessary to what matters to us.

@lynette-vo @studiogatewaysai @cindyjiang

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PDF Development

Today in class, we further edited our pdf. We have currently 6 pages that have been finished. So halfway there!! We stuck to our theme of showing a way to survive in the NOW for millennials like us. Towards the end of the class, we got to discuss our concept to other groups in other classes. The responses were as following:

- The concept was a nice idea since it relates to a lot of us in the class

- The drawings fit the concept

- This survival guide mocks millennials today. It definitely fits in the theme of NOWNESS

^ most of the comments were all similar to those above. 

@lynette-vo @studiogatewaysai @cindyjiang

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In this experiment, we tried to explore different aspects of the NOW. Today people are so caught up in capturing the moment, especially with social media, that the NOW becomes a somewhat redundant experience? Essentially, you’re removing yourself from fully immersing yourself in the moment to capture it, in a way it kind of becomes inauthentic. Here, the group is in a classroom environment but by taking time to capture the moment, we’ve taken ourselves out of that setting, at least mentally. Also, we wanted to express how the NOW has sort of been reduced to a singular and shared experience no matter how much it’s been marketed as something unique.

@lynette-vo @studiogatewaysai @cindyjiang

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Assessment 3 // Nowness

My group decided to scrap the idea of how value changes as nowness evolves. It was very hard for us to come up with a concrete idea, as value was too broad and vauge.

We decided to look at different ways we could explore NOW as in 2017! How do we show today? Saira came up with the idea of creating a survival kit or guide on how to survive in the now. We all thought this was a great idea as we could both show the reality of milleniums in todays society as well as create an enaging mock of our own personal lives. We brainstormed various actions, thoughts and behaviours that are applicable to todays young adults. Using the information we gathered, we started creating a story board for the survival guide.

@lynette-vo @studiogatewaysai @cindyjiang

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AGNSW Visit

My group decided to focus on the ‘value’ aspect of artwork and experiences. This correlates with our NOWNESS concept. Through exploring various artists and works, we came to a conclusion that sometimes experiences become worthless as time passes. Maybe its because we are invested in the digital culture, where its necessary to capture every moment possible and post it on social media. When there is no evidence of the experience, it goes ‘missing’ and become unappreciated. 

@lynette-vo @studiogatewaysai @cindyjiang

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Assessment 3 // Manifesto

NOWNESS is a quality or state of existing or occurring in or belonging to the present time (Google Definition). Therefore, the value of something existing changes over time as NOWNESS evolves. But how does time change the value of objects to a person as the NOW changes? Some objects increase in value, both personally and monetarily. Others decrease in value in which are often regarded as ‘rubbish’. As a group, we would like to investigate how the ‘NOW’ by curating multiple objects together to showcase personal value. 

NOTE:

We have yet to decide what ways in which we can show this NOWNESS concept. 

@lynette-vo @studiogatewaysai @cindyjiang

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Intervention

We sat in the elevator for 15 minutes with a bean bag. 

@lynette-vo @cindyjiang @studiogatewaysai

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ADAD N°3 INTERVENTION STATEMENT

We are here.

This was a performance piece whereby our group would occupy the D-Block elevator with a bean bag. In this we would become a glitch to the students in COFA; an unexpected an interruption to their travels between class. The responses and reactions were varied—students would awkwardly manage their way in and avoided making any eye contact with us while some left upon the elevator doors opening, revealing us as we monotonously asserted: ”We are here.” Also, we occupied a space that marked a transition but by bringing a bean bag with us, we also managed to further “glitch” the elevator’s purpose into one of leisure. There were moments, that were unfornatuentely not recorded, where we made light-hearted conversation and even extended offers to students using the elevator to sit down on the bean bag with us.

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Assignment 3 // NOWNESS

As a group of 4, we came up with multiple concepts for NOW. The picture above has all our raw concepts down. 

Our main points were:

- Now does not exist as its always going to be the Past or Future. 

- Nowness is a poison for death. Every action we make affects our world in the long run. 

@lynette-vo @studiogatewaysai @cindyjiang

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Intervention

We sat in the elevator for 15 minutes with a bean bag. 

@lynette-vo @cindyjiang @studiogatewaysai

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Period Shaming // Experiment 1 // Smaller Version

I re-edited the initial period shaming video I took while walking around the city. This video goes for 1 min 30 seconds so that it is easier to show my class what I did.

Photographer: Shruti Ramia and Lynette Vo

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Concept Statement // ADAD1102 // Period Shaming

Can creative acts be rebellious when rebellion has become canonised in art, design and media histories? What would a contemporary creative rebellion look like?

‘Cycles’

The definition of rebellion, as defined by Google, is “the action or process of resisting authority, control, or convention”. That is, opposing strong ideas have surrounded society which are constantly supressed by authoritative figures. Women, for a long time, have been victims of suppression in society. Whether being told to dress in certain ways or talk and act differently amongst different occasions. Feminism has certainly been canonised in today’s society, especially in the 21st Century art industry. Yet, a large of feminist artists tackle issues which have been put aside or considered not important. Creative rebellion would most definitely been a stand for issues that are being put aside to raise awareness through eye-opening ways.

My project “Cycles” is a wearable piece and collection of photos curated together to create awareness of menstruation taboo in women causing period shaming. Period shaming or menstruation taboo has been an issue for women all around that world which has been constantly concealed due to the shameful nature of it. Superstitious beliefs include, in various societies, such as not being able to enter temples in India or in East Africa where physical contact with plants and flowers is said to cause them to dry out and many more myths that surround menstruation in parts of the world. Most Western cultures within today’s society do not believe in such superstitions, nor menstruation taboos. However, the effects of said taboos are still widely influential in today’s society. Therefore, most women believe that it is at least good manners, and sometimes necessary, to hide evidence of menstruation not only from public view, but in private as well.

From being banned from participating in any religious activities to the evolution of hiding pads and tampons in grocery baskets, why are women so ashamed of a bodily function that they have no control of? Through this project, Cycles, I wish to examine the ways in which these menstruation taboos, via various restrictions in each different culture, lead to period shaming in women. Overall, I argue that the negative ideals behind menstruation taboos should be abolished and liberation of menstruation should be exemplified.

My piece exposes the pads concealed by women to break barriers between these ridiculous beliefs and society. The action of walking around the city with a t-shirt made using pads with the words “#STOPPERIODSHAMING”, is a direct reference to exposing the menstruation equipment out of its natural packaging, the plastic wrapper which is hidden away by women. I conducted this experiment to document reactions of society and their take on this issue. Many citizens avoided eye-contact or glared at my t-shirt in shock and disgrace. People still looked down on my actions, yet no one commented on the shirt directly, either laughing to themselves or to their friend. This result was considered as a failure to my envisioned result, as I wanted positive reactions from society. However, it did prove my argument that the liberation of menstruation does not yet exist or is fully accepted by society.

The second experience of Cycles, consists of 6 photographs of, each of which depict a white cotton pad with purple flowers on top of it. The series of pictures demonstrate the natural process a women goes through when on her periods. From purchasing the pads, to wearing the pads and then disposing of it. The flower is symbolic of the period, denoting the natural aspect of the cycle where the flowers are essentially harmless just like menstruation is. The soft red overlay in the photographs also represents the period blood. The final photograph is a creation of three pads with flowers and leaves on top of them. Underneath the pads include the words “It’s a natural process #STOPPERIODSHAMING” in white pen. This poster was hung upon in a public place, in UNSW where women would be able to empathise with the issue. Once, again many people were shocked to see such a poster outside a bathroom, yet no one ever commented on the issue.

Through this project, I wish to start conversations amongst many women and men in order to resolve this issue in the future. Menstruation should not considered as shameful and every women should be proud to be part of an important biological function.  

Bibliography

Webster S, 'THE HISTORY OF THE CURSE: A COMPARATIVE LOOK AT THE RELIGIOUS AND SOCIAL TABOOS OF MENSTRUATION AND THE INFLUENCE THEY HAVE ON AMERICAN SOCIETY TODAY', 2017, University of North Carolina, (accessed 18 September 2017)

'10 Period Myths You Didn't Know Existed', BuzzFeed, 2017,  https://www.buzzfeed.com/wateraid/10-period-myths-you-didnt-know-existed-q7iz?utm_term=.xyd8mk8m1g#.jt57Em7E2z (accessed 18 September 2017)

'Define Rebellion - Google Search', Google.com.au, 2017, https://www.google.com.au/search?q=define+rebellion&oq=define+reb&aqs=chrome.0.69i59j0j69i57j35i39j0l2.1259j0j1&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8, (accessed 19 September 2017)

Fingerson L, Girls In Power : Gender, Body, And Menstruation In Adolescence, State University of New York Press 2017, https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.wwwproxy1.library.unsw.edu.au/lib/unsw/detail.action?docID=3407536 (accessed 19 September 2017)

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Period Shaming / Experiment 1 

This is the final wearable that I designed for my first experiment. It is a construction of 6 pads that have been stitched onto a plain white t-shirt. The words #STOPPERIODSHAMING have been written using a red permanent market. The red obviously symbolises the period blood.  

Photographer : Shruti Ramia