Statistics
We looked inside some of the posts by elissashafeek and here's what we found interesting.
Average Info
Notes Per Post
0
Likes Per Post
0
Reblog Per Post
0
Reply Per Post
0
Time Between Posts
2 days
Number of Posts By Type
Link
1
Photo
2
Text
12
Video
2
Last Seen Tumblr Blogs
Fun Fact
Celebrities use Tumblr as well.
Link
SHAFREEK Magazine ‘Stay@Home’ Issue:
I decided to create a shoot based around the idea of claustrophobia during quarantine and feeling like you’re almost ‘out growing’ your own home. During lockdown the only thing keeping me sane is being creative and letting my mind concentrate on all things artistic and visual… therefore this mini digital magazine issue is meant to convey the idea of letting yourself wonder freely mentally, even though physically you may not be able to do so.
Styled, photographed and edited and poem written by Elissa Shafeek.
0 notes
Photo
‘Because you can't go, let your mind grow’ Extra Photographs.
Photographed, styled and edited by Elissa Shafeek.
0 notes
Photo
‘Because you can't go, let your mind grow’ Extra Photographs.
Photographed, styled and edited by Elissa Shafeek.
0 notes
Text
Stay@Home Mini Project 2.0 :
“Recreating a famous piece of artwork with things found at home”
Norman Rockwell’s ‘First Trip to the Beauty Shop:’
My Recreation :
0 notes
Text
‘Stay@Home’ Campaign Photography (Part 5):
My Photography :
0 notes
Text
‘Stay@Home’ Campiagn Photography (Part 1):
The idea behind this photoshoot is to glamorise the idea of staying at home during the coronavirus pandemic and respecting the quarantine. I have taken inspiration from the aesthetic of vintage 1940′s style retro posters (if people could do as they were instructed during the war then we can stay at home during this.) I have styled this shoot so that the average house ‘chore’ or activity is made to look exaggerated and glamorised, causing it to become appealing to the audience.
My photography:
0 notes
Text
Digital Artist Inspiration :
KOTA YAMAJI :
The Art :
Kota Yamaji is a digital artist, video director based in Tokyo, Japan. His work is inspired by Japanese pop culture and includes bright almost insipid colours that are extremely eye-catching and captivating. Contrary to this, his work is surreal yet he explores darker subtexts of real issues and topics such as technology, the universe and what may exist outside of it.
My Analysis :
Much of the artists work includes the surreal merging of humans and technology, the nature world and the cyber world, such as his piece ‘Technology Head.’ These playful yet serious images tackle the topic of technology taking over and evokes the idea of humans almost turning into zombies or slaves to technology, to such as extent that the figures are anonymous and no longer recognisable as human beings.
0 notes
Text
Technology and How it Affects our Connection with Nature :
Investigating further into the possible causes of our continuous disconnection from nature, I have found that one of the most popular theories is that technology is the root of our separation. This is mainly believed due to our disconnection seeming to correlate with the advancement of technology.
Research :
Professor Peter Khan is ‘UW’s director of the Human Interaction with Nature and Technological Systems Lab,’ and has dedicated the majority of his career researching the relation that humans have with nature and ‘works to understand intersection of two modern phenomena: the destruction of nature, and the growth of technology.’
In the modern world, we have two type of nature, ‘real nature’ and ‘technological nature’; ‘ digital representations of the wild, such as nature-focused documentaries, video games, and VR stimulations.’ It has been scientifically proven that technological nature has its benefits, because by engaging with it we can trigger our ‘biophilia.’ This has been proven by playing nature videos in prisons and discovering that this can significantly lower the level of violence between inmates, ’suggesting nature’s relaxing influence translates through screens.’ We know that nature reduces or helps mental health issues such as anxiety and depression and overall makes people happier, therefore we, as humans, are trying to find these alternatives to real nature as society keeps urbanising and ‘wild places’ are harder to get to. However, professor Khan explains that “there is a limit to the extent technological representations of nature can provide the soothing, restorative, creativity-enhancing benefits of a walk in the real woods.”
The concern is, that the more we attempt to create super realistic ‘technological nature,’ we are, ironically, pushing ourselves further and further away as we will slowly adapt to accept digital representations and will no longer take the time to appreciate the real world around us.
Adrienne Matei, August 2017, ‘Technology is changing our relationship with nature as we know it,’ QUARTZ.
Evaluation :
Although I want to research further into other ways in which technology plays a role or possibly has positive effects on our disconnection, this scientific research so far proves that technology has a literal direct effect on our connection with nature as it tries to ‘replace it’ and almost brainwashes mankind into believing we do not need ‘the real thing.’ Nature is deep rooted within us, it is our instinct, it is our history, it is literally us. Therefore, in my opinion, it cannot just be related by some ones and zeros on a screen.
0 notes
Video
youtube
This is an extremely powerful and touching interview on Waris Dirie and the Dessert Flower Foundation (including how it came to be and some of its success stories).
0 notes
Text
Waris Dirie’s Activist Work :
‘Waris travels on behalf of the United Nations around the world, participates in conferences, meets presidents, Nobel Prize winners and movie stars and gives hundreds of interviews to draw attention to her mission.’
The Dessert Flower Foundation :
‘IN 2002 SHE FOUNDED HER OWN FOUNDATION, CALLED “WARIS DIRIE FOUNDATION” TO SUPPORT HER WORK AS A CAMPAIGNER AGAINST FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION.
In 2010, the Foundation was re-named “Desert Flower Foundation” to reflect the broader approach to addressing Female Genital Mutilation though economic projects in Africa.
The foundation’s team is made up of men and women committed to gender equality, human rights and all of them share Waris Dirie’s ideal: Ending Female Genital Mutilation.
The Foundations Key Goals :
RAISE AWARENESS Through workshops, seminars, conferences, presentations, charity events, online campaigns etc.
PREVENTION WORK Through projects like “Save a little desert flower”, which seeks to protect little girls in Africa from FGM.
DAMAGE REPAIR Through our Desert Flower Centers we try to help and guide victims of FGM to regain, as much as possible, their life quality and confidence.’
https://www.desertflowerfoundation.org/en/waris-dirie.html
My Evaluation :
My Planet Human campaign has very similar goals to the desert flower foundation. Obviously my resources are less than that of the United Nations and Waris’ foundation, however, change begin with small steps in the right direction and that is the aim of my campaign. Awareness = Prevention = Repair. One thing leads to the next and that’s why my starting point is to bring awareness to these types of topical issues that all have the common theme of our disconnection from nature.
0 notes
Text
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM):
Research on Cultural Traditions that Challenge Nature (FGM in Somalia, Waris Dirie’s Experience) :
I have chosen to research into the topical and controversial life story of a woman named Waris Dirie. Waris Dirie is a Somalian fashion model, author, and women's rights activist. However, her early life was not always so glamorous…
What? :
‘Female genital mutilation, also known as female circumcision, is the ritual of cutting or the removal of some or all of the external female genitalia. This practice is mainly found in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.’
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Female_genital_mutilation
Relevance to my project :
This topic is relevant to my campaign as it is a human act and man made tradition (relating to religion, culture and beliefs) that goes against our natural bodies and what nature has given us as we’ve evolved, widening the gap between human and nature even though at the end of the day we are the same thing.
Waris Dirie’s Experience :
Waris was born and raised into a nomadic culture in Somalia, Africa, where all women were expected to be married and a mothers sole duty was to ensure their daughters had the best opportunities in finding husbands. Additionally, the belief in Somalia is that ‘there are bad things between a girl’s legs,’ and because of this, a woman is thought to be ‘dirty, oversexed and unmarrigable unless those parts (the clitoris, the labia minora, and sometimes the labia majora) are removed.’ This process is known as ‘female genital mutilation, which is completed to all young girls in this culture (original once they reached puberty, but over time has been practiced on younger and younger girls) to make them suitable to enter the ‘marriage market.’
Once this practice is complete, a practice known as infatuation is done, this is where ‘the wound is stitched shut, leaving only a small opening left for period blood.’ Later, a hut is prepared where girls such as Waris would be left alone to recuperate for the next few weeks. Because of the shocking conditions in which the ceremonial procedure is performed, recovery is extremely challenging and many girls (if they haven’t already from the pain of the practice) will die from infections, shock or tetanus. Young girls are never educated on this topic, it is considered a mystery ritual that most Somalian girls anxiously await. ‘Paying the gypsy woman for this circumcision is one of the greatest expenses a household will undergo.’
Waris’ autobiography in detail : http://www.fgmnetwork.org/articles/Waris.html
This traditional practice, apart from causing instant issues, has extreme after effects. Physical ones include issues in the conceiving and ability to birth a child, as well as, psychological effects being depression, anxiety, PTSD and the mental block on anything sexual. This is why awareness needs to be brought on these issues.
Why? :
The traditions origins are unknown, and there is no mention of FGM in the Quran or the Bible. However, the practice became associated with Islam due to the religion’s focus on female ‘chastity’ and ‘seclusion’ (staying pure and loyal to a womans husband).
UNICEF calls the practice a "self-enforcing social convention" to which families feel they must conform to avoid uncut daughters facing social exclusion. Another theory is that the subtextual purpose of the procedure is to dominate and control women, allowing men to have sex and enjoy it, but women solely being there as a carrier of his children.
Where? :
Research has shown that overall, female genital mutilation, within Africa, is more commonly found in areas that are less educated and less wealthy. This map shows where FGM was most common in 2015:
Taking Action :
The primary ways in which to eradicate and prevent FGM is through education and awareness. The secrecy behind the tradition needs to be tackled, as well as educating communities on the risks of the procedure. Non practicing countries also need to be made aware of these traditions to help spread recognition.
‘National and international organizations have played a key role in advocating against the practice and generating data that confirm its harmful consequences. The African Union’s Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa, and its Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa constitute a major contribution to the promotion of gender equality and the elimination of female genital mutilation. However, despite some successes, the overall rate of decline in the prevalence of female genital mutilation has been slow.
https://www.unicef.org/french/media/files/Interagency_Statement_on_Eliminating_FGM.pdf
My opinion :
In my opinion, although the topic can be extremely controversial due to its connection with cultural beliefs and religion, the action being taken to prevent this female genital mutilation is not effective enough. Further action needs to be taken to bring further recognition to the topic, not only in local communities but globally. This practice is blatant gender inequality and goes against our natural bodies, as well as, taking away from a woman natural sexual experience and conceiving process, whilst causing severe physical and psychological damage. Therefore, even though it is not as simple as flicking a switch, action should be taken to outlaw this tradition, as well as, safety and help programmes being put in place to give young women someone to turn to before or, hopefully not but possibly, after the ceremony is carried out.
0 notes
Text
“Banished for Bleeding”
Research on Cultural Traditions that Challenge Nature ‘Chhaupadi’ :
Continuing my research on the topic of various cultures and how their beliefs or traditions may effect peoples relationship with nature, I began investigating into Nepal and a practice known as ‘chhaupadi.’ This is their name for menstruation which also conveys the message of ‘a woman being unclean when she is bleeding.’ In this traditional practice, when a girl begins their period, she is banished from the comfort of her own home and secluded to a specially built hut. These purpose built shacks are tiny spaces, shared by multiple women from various families, without proper facilities such as beds or even bedding. During the time when girls are isolated, they are unable to cook, eat anything with nutrients, or even drink and bathe in their villages water supply.
‘In this belief system, it is thought that if a menstruating woman touches a tree, it will never again bear fruit; if she consumes milk, the cow will not give any more milk; if she reads a book, Saraswati, the goddess of education, will become angry; if she touches a man, he will be ill.’
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chhaupadi
They are stripped of their human rights.
Additionally the women are banned from making any contact with plants, cattle or men. This is because they are thought to be infectious, plagued and dirty. ‘“It is said that if we touch a cow, they will not give milk,” says Nirmala. “We’ve never seen anything like that happen, but our elders say we must not touch the cows.” A women aged 45, Kalpana Joshi, explains that she is always resigned to her monthly stay in her “chhau” hut, a room a little bigger that a crawl space beneath her village shop. “We are not allowed to touch the toilet because it is the same water as we use at home,” and it is believed that women on their periods will pollute the water supply. “We have to go to the fields far away from the house where nobody can see us.” Finally, after a woman’s cycle is complete in the hut, they are made to bathe in a stream and are “purified” with cow urine.’
Joanna Jolly and Vibeke Venema, April 2017, BBC World Services Life Series, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-sh/banished_for_bleeding
Where does it stem from? :
‘Indra is an ancient Vedic deity, a deity in Hinduism, and is believed to be a guardian deity in Buddhism, as well as, the king of the highest heaven called Saudharmakalpa in Jainism. The superstition of ‘Chhaupadi’ arose from a myth that Indra created menstruation as a means to distribute a curse.’
Taking action :
There are a few actions being taken in Nepal to combat this practice, such as local authorities in Bajura demanding the destruction of all Chhaupadi huts. However, even this was done with such carelessness that in the destruction of one hut, a young woman and her two sons were killed.
Further action needs to be taken, and this process begins with creating awareness. This is the goal of my campaign.
My Opinion and Evaluation:
This cultural tradition in Nepal persecutes women for a natural cycle. A natural cycle that populates the entire planet. A natural cycle that is completely normal and should be worshiped if anything. A natural cycle that is the exact definition of nature and the natural world. So why do certain cultures punish individuals for these natural circumstances? Why do they keep the ‘unclean’ women away from their live stock to protect their natural supplies from something else that is equally a part of natures cycle? The whole idea behind the tradition seems inhumane and hypocritical. I believe that topics such as this one (as fragile as they are due to being intertwined with religion, beliefs and cultural traditions) must be tackled and people in other areas of the world must be made aware of these topics. Just because it isn't happening on our doorstep doesn't mean we can look the other way. There is a point where traditions must be put in their lace and human rights come into consideration. Therefore, I want to use this opportunity to include subjects such as these, that are extremely unspoken and looked over, in my campaign.
0 notes