Strata

For this piece, I tried to tap into a specific context of racism. I began with the conception that racism can manifest itself as the forced adoption of a prominent and universally sanctified culture (more explicitly, Western culture) and the traditions that emerge as a result of that cultural premise. The object is a flower pot. However, the staggered rings cause a disruption in the form that disturbs the aesthetic and the function of the flower pot. This becomes a symbol of resistance to conform to the aesthetic of the sanctified culture that influences the prevelant design aesthetic while also refusing to function adequately thereby echoing a sort of boycott towards “being used” to spread that “superior” culture (resistance against stratification). The final aspect I would call attention to is the materiality. Western culture has sanctified the use of certain materials (plastic and sheet metal) to convey the politics of an object both from the perspective of who must buy that object and how durable that object may be. This flower pot can be made using a plethora of materials like jute fibre, cork and bamboo that are not just locally available in other cultures and communities but are also a symbol for pushing back on the Western notions of stability, durability and appropriate function.

Materials and Techniques: 3 Dimensional Computer Aided Model