Some women live in their own dystopia due to the societal pressures to be compliant and complacent. I looked at the physical and psychological oppression of women and how it has been normalised, so that women often don't recognise the abuse. I reference this normalisation through the "forced smile" featured in these 3 creepy, medieval-like contraptions. I used spot welding for the metal piece, the design was influenced by traditional torture or public humiliation methods for women, such as the Scold's Bridle. I looked at The Handmaid's Tale as a main research point which led me onto looking at religious habits and traditional, religious headwear. However, some women outside of the church live this kind of life without wanting to. They are living with an abuser who forces a life of solitude, loneliness and isolation through psychological abuse. It is estimated that in the UK, 1.9 million people aged 16 to 59 experienced some form of abuse with 63% of them women.  My piece is a statement that women are forced into accepting abuse and just living with it. 

(180 words)

My original research was purely looking at film and TV references, focusing on location and costume. I didn't think about how I might use this research in the future, because apart from having the research as references, most of the research hasn't informed my design. However, this research has put ideas forward about politics, especially from a woman's point of view. I ditched the architecture references as I felt they didn't have much of a future in my project. I found The Handmaid's Tale (THT) was a huge influence on my idea development and conceptual thinking. The research I conducted onto the conformity and compliance of handmaid's in THT, as well as their headpieces drove my research to look at the self inflicted conformity and compliance of Nuns. The research I conducted into the costumes from THT and the similarity of a Nun's cornette also helped to influence form and shape. To help with this research I began model making as a way of idea development. My idea development was mainly physically presented and then I conducted more research to develop ideas and form. I found a focus on female oppression within society which was formed through the research into differences between nuns and other women, who are forced to lead similar restrictive lives, but without a choice. I also looked at domestic battery towards women, with references towards Stockholm Syndrome. I enjoyed model making as a way of idea development as my sketching isn't always visually accurate and sometimes doesn't fully show how my ideas are forming in my head. My paper models helped to push forward ideas which led to even more model making and experimenting with materials. Throughout this model making process I was continually research and updating the research section of Workflow. I used cartridge paper for early models as the paper had enough stability and flexibility  to demonstrate shape and form. However, as I began nearing toward making my final piece, I decided to use cotton and buckram. The cotton has ability to shape it, whilst the buckram is stiff and can be manipulated into a shape that will stay. I taught myself how to use a 1950's Singer sewing machine which I used to create the bonnet that will be a part of the final piece. I also used the metal workshop to spot weld the metal structure. I enjoyed using both techniques as they effectively brought my materials together, as well as advancing my skills. This piece is a statement piece showing how women are forced to conform to societal desires and smile through the oppression. I have made 3 identical pieces to reference conformity and uniformity. I have taken advice and criticism from tutorials, and recorded the ideas onto Workflow so I could go back and refer to them without forgetting key points. Although I have had tutorials which had the opportunity to include technical help as well as feedback and advice, I found that technical help was the least of my worries and the most challenging thing I found was settling on a final design idea and being happy with it. This meant I spent more time than needed on this aspect of the project. I also found that research took a long time, because I felt as though I needed to know all the facts and put them on Workflow to ensure I was educated on each factor of this project. This meant that time management was tricky at the beginning, but it got easier as I neared the end of this project.

(594 words)

PHOTOSHOOT DAY.

I am happy with the final piece, so I am ready for the photoshoot on Thursday.

• I haven't decided who my models will be, but I know I want them to wear all black clothing.
• I will also instruct the models to allow the metal to pull the mouth up instead of them smiling as well.
  • This will keep the photographs emotionless and will add to the creepy vibe.
• I found that the red colour began rubbing off the metal which meant that I had to problem solve quickly.
  • I used a red paint pen of the same colour to fix any touchups. This will be my plan for the photoshoot if the meal shows through.

• After a tutorial with Helmert, he gave me some advice about the wire headpiece.
  • He suggested reducing the complexity of the headpiece.
  • He also suggested changing the copper, metal colour to a matte red colour using spray paint.
• I agreed with his advice and changed the wire frame, before adding the black leather cord, with adjustable tension.
  • I though this would be necessary as I could adjust the tension of the springs to fit different faces.
• I added the the springs to the cord and found the metal was too sharp to put in the mouth, so I used hot glue to blunt the ends of the metal.
  
  • This was important for the photoshoot as the metal could have pierced. the skin

• During the break I began looking back through my research and references to help my design developments.
• I took references from The Handmaids Tale and A Clockwork Orange.
  • I then progressed my own ideas around this in order to develop my ideas.
• I began experimenting with patterns in order to create a bonnet.
  • I chose a trial and error method when attempting to make this piece.
  • Eventually I managed to create a bonnet I was happy with.
• I also began drawing ideas for the metal structure that would sit on top of the bonnet.
• I model made 3 structures and photographed them on the body to get an idea of how the piece would look on the body.
  • I decided that having it stand away from the head was successful, but the way I chose to have it sit on the head needed to change.
  • It felt too busy and unnecessarily bulky.
• I have been considering using sheet metal to make the metal frame as well as wire rods.
• I have struggled in my design for this wire headpiece. 
  • I am struggling with the shape and form
  • I have contemplated having the wire headpiece tight fitting or standing away from the head.
  • I have also contemplated a rounded structure or a slightly more angular structure.

• I think I need to go back and reference some of my original research, potentially the architectural side to help inform my structure.

• I spent the day drawing some other design ideas
• I thought about referencing the bonnet worn in The Handmaid's Tale
  • Potentially referencing the Scolds Bridle?
  • Incorporating soft and hard aspects
    • Soft fabric with metal rods?
• Springs to pull the face into a smile connected to the bonnet
• Instead of a tight fitting bonnet, a wire frame leaving space around the head?
  • 3 of these head pieces?
•  I will think about potential materials to use and how to manipulate it
• I will draw all of these ideas in order to develop and plan my final piece.

• After looking at physical abuse and recording my research on workflow and in my sketchbook, I decided to look at physiological abuse.
• I left the pages bare of any images in my sketchbook as a representation that psychological abuse cannot be seen.
• I also began researching Stockholm Syndrome.

• II chose to use the next page to show a potential design idea.
  • I took screenshots from A Clockwork Orange as reference images
  • I looked at the idea of forcing a smile
    • This would reduce the ability for communication
    • This would also visibly address abuse victims forcing a smile
      • At the demand of the abuser?
      • Or they may not see the abuse happening to them, they see it as normal?
  • Even though a smile is being forced, the eyes will show most emotion 
    
    • Contradicting emotions on the face
• Beginning of final design idea?
  • Needs Development
  • Will begin drawing more design ideas in my sketchbook

• After the progress tutorial with Helmert and the cross pathway exhibition I began addressing the ideas I had discussed with Helmert.
  • I researched the Scold's Bridle and Shrew's Fiddle which were used to punish women for gossiping or bickering. 
    • These were used to shame women publicly and reduce communication.
  • I also briefly looked at a chastity belt to reference how women were the ones in the Middle Ages who weren't trusted, whereas in reality men would have had the most opportunity to be adulterous.
    • Why were the women subject to these belts rather than men?
  • I briefly looked at the Chinese tradition of foot binding which would result in lifelong disabilities for most women.
    • Again, why should the women cause themselves such pain for "beauty" why aren't men subject to altering their bodies in order to appear more attractive?
• Could these be considered physical abuse?

• Creating a more lasting and permanent model.
  • Again using one piece of paper, cut to round the edges in the back as well as produce a rounded point in the front.
  • Using wire to secure to head

• I'm happy with the piece and admire the simplicity of it
• Covers the eyes, so plays with the idea of reduced vision and communication
• Could develop an idea of psychological torture
  • adding handles to the long back of the headpiece to represent controlling nature of a partner
  • adding puppeteer strings, again to show a controlling behaviour
    • both of these ideas would reference trust, psychological abuse as well as physical abuse

• Progress tutorial with Helmert feedback:
  • "In depth research into architectural visions of the future and urban planning. Good cinematic references. Clever experiments with spatial form interacting with the head and shoulders."
  • "Dystopia viewed from a female perspective, the role represented by subservience, anonymity, uniformity and control. Nuns and convent life is a valid perspective but be careful not to fixate on The Handmaidens Tale as the sole viewpoint."
    • Planning on moving onto ways women have been shamed or have changed their bodies to appear more desirable.
  • "Add more intellectual depth to the design, than just a version of a nun’s wimple. Research controlled behaviour, conditioning, rigid, enforcement of discipline, brainwashing. Focus on psychological manipulation as well as physical restraint. Check out scold’s bridles, Stockholm Syndrome and Pavlov’s Dog and see if this research adds another factor to the design considerations."

• Taking the "wings" from The Handmaid's Tale and the 'Cornettes' of the Daughters of Charity and making structural models around the head to look at shapes that could be made.
  • Using one piece of A2 paper 
  • Photographing and showing models in sketchbook
• Focusing on shape, form and ability to hide face or reduce vision
• Conceal identity?
• Reduce vision or communication of wearer?

• I began exploring the "wings" and where they were inspired from.
• The Daughters of Charity wear starched wimples pinned to resemble horns.
• Looking at online resources exploring these cornettes as well as book references.
• Researching heavily into the headwear of different groups of nuns.
  • visual research.
  • historical research into how wimples have adapted and changed.

• Stepping away from architecture and moving onto looking at The Handmaids Tale.
• Exploring class and gender.
• Focusing on the costumes.
• Looking at how the colours represent class.
• The Handmaid's "wings"
  
  • They have no peripheral vision; they can only see what is directly in front of them.
  • Others also can't see them unless they are directly in front of the Handmaid's.

• Looking at architectural structures and buildings from film locations and applying them to the body.
  • Using buildings and locations from the films an TV shows researched earlier.
  • Scalpelling shapes and layering them on top of each other.
• Focusing on silhouette and form. 
• Using the figure of a cyborg to continue with the technology side to my research.

Did the workshop highlight any aspects of my project that I had not yet considered?

Many of my references were technology based and mechanical. This is a limited part of people's ideas of the future so I should be looking into other areas of the future away from technology. My references were strong but underdeveloped.

Did the workshop identify any new interpretations of my research?

No

Did the workshop identify any new areas of research?

No-one in my group had images the could be translated into my project. However, other groups had images of futuristic architecture which I could explore.

Did the workshop change the direction of my project?

Not completely, but it gave me a few ideas of ways I could progress down different pathways.

• Personal tutorial with Helmert looking at my proposal and initial research
• Moving from looking at both utopia and dystopia to looking at just dystopia.
• Helmert seemed optimistic about the way the project was going and gave me a few ideas of what to look at.
  • Looking at a world of conformity, anonymity and compliance.
  • Hierarchy
  • The loss of self, personal choice, opinion, individuality and freedom of thought.
  • The jewellery could potentially remove personality traits, gender and cultural reformation.
  • Celebration of uniformity and conformity.
  • Stepford Wives.

What did today's workshops highlight within your project? Weaknesses? Strengths?

A strong concept and good ideas. Maybe need to broaden what I'm looking at to more than just films and TV. 

New references/ research materials?

Architectural references and a new pathway looking at gender and class. 

Have you identified any new materials to explore?

High Rise (film).

What changes will you be making to your proposal after the workshop?

No changes, but a more specific way forward in my sketchbook.

• Exercise looking at key words that could trigger research.
• I like the thought of looking at gender and class
  • Media or book references?
• Maybe government issues and oppression?
• Speaking to my peers, government corruption seemed to interest them.
• Could look at how the government has corrupted in the past to create a dystopia? 
  • Romania?
  • Nicolae Ceaușescu
  • The fall of communism
• Communism is trying to create a utopian society.
• Why doesn't it work?

Independent Research Week

• Looking at TV and Film references which address ideas of the future.
  • Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
  • The Terminator (1984)
  • Metropolis (1927)
  • Enders Game (2013)
  • Blade Runner (1982)
  • Things to Come (1936)
  • The Giver (2014)
  • Gattaca (1997)
• Also looking at book references.
  • Ender's Game - Orson Scott Card (1985)
  • The Giver - Lois Lowry (1994)
  • George Orwell - Nineteen Eighty-Four (1949)
• Focusing on costume, location and setting
• I have seen films and read books on dystopian futures so I have an interest in it and want to pursue it further by analysing symbolisms deeper.

• Began looking in books for architectural ideas of the future.
• Many were ecologically inclined, so had vertical gardens etc.
• I also wanted to explore how neighbourhoods have developed to cater for rising populations.
• Or how neighbourhoods have attempted utopia but have run out of money so have to stop developing the area.
  • This research feels applicable but irrelevant to the way I want my project to go.
  • However, looking at architectural structures may inform my design in the future.