Contextual Review February 19, 2023

February 19, 2023

‘Contextual Review’ (Taylor Ahn)

Ever since joining the specialist pathway, my journey of learning has been immensely enriching. Transitioning from a non-art school background, immersing myself in the Fashion and Textiles pathway proved to be even more enlightening than any prior artistic experience. The Fusion project was instrumental in providing insights into the research process and its requisite depth. Introduction to keyword usage was pivotal, aiding in refining research topics to niche subjects. This strategy enabled me to infuse my projects with a personal touch, exploring realms I had never considered before. Initially challenged by the pathway's fast-paced nature, I gradually acclimated during Project U and Function & Performance, gaining a profound understanding of the design process and adept time management. Before this, my comprehension of basic design processes was limited. Integrating techniques like shape extraction and mark-making, as well as adopting unconventional methods such as performance art, added depth to my design approach. For instance, incorporating shape extraction and mark-making has lent a newfound dimension to my creative process. Additionally, implementing performance art as a response method has been a unique approach, not commonly seen among peers. This evolution in methodology has equipped me with a refined skillset, enabling swift conceptualization rooted in a thoroughly developed process.

Project U marked a significant shift in my approach to work. Fusion and Multiples served as crucial stepping stones, familiarizing me with the design process. Thus, Project U presented the perfect opportunity to synthesize my newfound knowledge into a tangible outcome. Exploring a deeply personal narrative, I delved into my past struggle with facial dysmorphia, imbuing my work with symbolism, including the colors red and black, and motifs of bandages symbolizing constraint. Drawing from my background in dance and performing arts, I instinctively incorporated performance art—a novel addition that enriched my design process and fostered a unique approach to development. Moving forward, I intend to further explore unconventional mediums such as audio responses, offering a multifaceted perspective on the concepts I tackle. My experimentation culminated in a performance/communications video for Project U, widely praised by peers for its strong conceptual delivery. Recognized for my holistic approach to design, which transcends mere garments to encompass communication methods, I find fulfillment in photography, videography, and fashion communication—integral components of my identity as a designer.

The film "The Colour of Pomegranates" by Sergei Parajanov, released in 1969, serves as a profound source of inspiration for both my design and communication endeavors. Its ethereal and contemplative energy, coupled with its uncanny yet beautiful aesthetic, has deeply influenced my creative process. Drawing from the film's vibrant colors and symbolic significance, I utilize hues like red to convey passion and love, juxtaposed with black to represent darker undertones. Additionally, I integrate the film's use of repetition and mirroring techniques to explore themes of duality and the cyclical nature of existence, as seen in my Function & Performance project's exploration of sacred geometry in our natural world. This film's influence extends to my desire to tell complex narratives through my work, creating outcomes with a dreamy, yet eerily fantastical feel. Singer-songwriter Mitski also profoundly inspires my work, with her raw emotion and introspection reflected in my Project U outcome. Her ability to craft hauntingly beautiful melodies and emotionally resonant narratives resonates deeply with me, especially as I explore personal struggles with facial dysmorphia. Through my design and performance, I aim to share my innermost thoughts and feelings, creating an introspective yet cathartic expression that resonates with others facing similar challenges.

I’m currently strong in research, reflecting, and drawing on things from my life to bring about a complex narrative. I feel that I’m also strong in shape extraction, as I play with shapes that also contain symbolism regarding the concept of the design. Additionally, I feel that I communicate my outcome well in my photos and videography. However, during Part 3, I would like to practice and expand on the design development part of my process as I feel that that is a skill I can continue to improve. I feel that with every new project I tackle, I improve something about my process or sketchbook work. I find a way to add something that I had not done in my previous works and am becoming more confident in my ability to fully exhaust all ideas in ways that are unconventional at times. In future works, I hope to explore a more diverse range of materials that are unconventional in sample work and outcome. I will continue to implement the use of fashion communication along with my design as I feel that it helps to connect more deeply in the audience’s hearts and minds. I look forward to experimenting with more unique textures and materials, as well as continuing to practice and grow my design development skills in Part 3.

Bibliography

The color of pomegranates full movie Parajanov/ Նռան գույնը / Цвет Граната (2020) YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPtxS1c-fGA&t=2927s (Accessed: 19 February 2024).

Talbot, M. (2019) On the road with Mitski, The New Yorker. Available at: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/07/08/on-the-road-with-mitski (Accessed: 19 February 2024).

Comet Atomic (2023) The color of pomegranates: A masterpiece of surrealism and poetry in film, Comet Atomic. Available at: https://cometatomic.com/the-color-of-pomegranates-a-masterpiece-of-surrealism-and-poetry-in-film/#:~:text=One%20of%20the%20most%20prominent,with%20the%20poet’s%20artistic%20inspiration. (Accessed: 19 February 2024).

Ashley Hajimirsadeghi (2024) Review and summary of the color of pomegranates (1969), Ashley Hajimirsadeghi. Available at: https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/blog/the-color-of-pomegranates (Accessed: 19 February 2024).

Berman, J. (2018) Mitski is the 21st century’s poet laureate of young adulthood, NPR. Available at: https://www.npr.org/2018/09/06/642252679/mitski-is-the-21st-centurys-poet-laureate-of-young-adulthood (Accessed: 19 February 2024).

Mitski, the US’s best young songwriter: ‘I’m a black hole where people dump their feelings’ (2022) The Guardian. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/feb/04/mitski-us-best-young-songwriter-im-a-black-hole-where-people-dump-feelings (Accessed: 19 February 2024).

Abbey (2022) YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WykMxuJKuk (Accessed: 19 February 2024).

Word Count: 800

CONTEXTUAL REVIEW

Confirm copying