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Time Thief, 2018, Material Experiementation

Pursuant to my previous work on the topic about the new challenge in modern social relationship that is caused by prevalence aging population in developing and developed countries. This work intends to further explore the underlying challenges and barriers of human relation, in particular, how cultural factors, such as value, belief and customs affect individual perception and attitude towards relationships. The key focus of this research is on the different family relationship among various culture and the detachment between the young and the elderly in a family relationship.

By witnessing the revelation of information technology in last decade, the popularity of smart phones and mobile devices has fundamentally changed the lifestyle of younger generations. Among many benefits and conveniences provided by technology advancement, one of the most prominent impact is how it changed the way relationships are build and maintained. The movie <Her> produced by Spike Jonze is a perfect example that insinuates the increasing reliance on artificial intelligence and social networking which result in alienation from reality. Moreover, the article wrote by Foa (2012) stated how social network further empowers materialism and consumerism which greatly impact the value and cultural of modern society. He criticises the resource theory of social exchange which believe that affection and satisfaction can be delivered by commodities.

The work Time Thief is a piece of work that confronts the inpersonalization of modern social movement and the negative impact it the movement has on relationships. The work intends to deliver to layers of implications. Firstly, the shows that social networks and virtue communications not only successfully replaced traditional method of communication and interaction, it also like a black hole that consumes time and impeded productivity invisibly. The constraint of time causes people to be reluctant and ignorant to their beloved. In order to deliver this message, the design is centered with a hourglass that visualises the unrecoverable passage of time. A little disappearing crutch presents the elderly who are important to us, such as our parents, grandparents, a mentor or even a friend. The disappearing crutch shows that along with passage of time, also implies the passage of life, showing that there is only limited time and opportunity for which we can take care of them. The tan colour used for background is similar to the colour of soil which symbolises the tomb and the end of life. This message is further strengthened by the bottom slogan. The slogan is framed using a neck rope worn by people with Alzheimer Disease suggesting their need for care and love.

In addition, the work challenges the resource theory of social exchange which presumes that commodity can presents or even replace affection and provide satisfaction. Instead of using bold, powerful and technical material, this word adopts a down to earth approach by look back to the fundamental needs of human beings. The work is collaborated using multigrain from the nature. The selection material from the most simple everyday goods encourage audiences to look at what really matters in everyday life instead of superficial goods that satisfy self-esteem. In conclusion, Time Thief tries to deliver a powerful massage that individuals in modern society suffers from dual burden. On one side, they are struggling with having a balanced life among work, social and family. On the other side, there are attempted by the materialism culture.  

With reference to my first assignment, this research project is more focus on experimenting the usage of different materials and techniques. The purpose of my experimentation is to use materials sourced from daily life to deliver a powerful and inspirational message. My experiment started from using water colour and acrylic which I found too soft for the message I’m trying to delivery. The idea of using food is inspired by French artist Jean Paul Ganem who creats artistic landscapes using food waste. I got attracted by the colourful and texture of different grains when visiting one organic store in Newtown and decided to work with grains. My work started with pencil drawings that outlines the composition. The entire image is then covered by double sided stick tape before placing the grain. The process of allocating the grains to the designated area is particularly challenge as the beans roll easily. But the final presentation precisely communicate the message I intends to deliver.

Reference Foa, E.B. and Foa, U.G., 2012. Resource theory of social exchange. In Handbook of social resource theory (pp. 15-32). Springer, New York, NY.

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Before Its Too Late

 The work is inspired by a short story written by Ziqing Zhu, one of the most famous Chinese writer in the nineteenth Century. His work <The sight of my father’s back> recounted his experience of leaving home young. During his farewell his father took care of everything and showed great hesitation for letting the young son leave home. That was the first time Zhu discover the deep love of his father.

 In response to the great novel of Zhu. This poster addresses one of the most prevalent contemporary social issue of aging population in many developing and developed countries such as Japan, Italy, Germany and Australia. It aims to call on people to cherish every minutes we have now with the one that you care or should care.

 The poster consists a crutch, a disappearing spinal and a slogan “before it’s too late”. The crutch symbolise elderly people that is important to the audience or to the society. It could be your parents, grandparents, a mentor or even a friend. The disappearing spinal visualizes the unrecoverable passage of life. The dark grey background with spotlight effects tends to create a heavy tone as aging that leads to loss of someone that is important often involves great sadness. Especially when people notice how important that person means to them, such as parents, grandparents and mentors. The dark grey colour also symbolise the emotion of regret.

 It challenges the traditional social and family relationships, in particular the individualism culture of the Western society. This art work aims to draw attention from the younger generation to rethink their relationship with their elderly parents. Moreover, it questions the relationship of society and elderly people who contributed their golden time to the development of society but left with ignorance and loneliness.  

 Hence, this poster intends to promote family connection and universal love for elderly people who sacrificed their youth for the younger generation and the development of the society. Every individual should should gratefulness to their parents and take care of those elderly people around us before it is too late.

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