Launch of Working Titles: Journal for Practice Based Research, no. 2, Compromised Visions: "Lately, she's been seeing things differently".
On the 14th November I was invited to the launch of the 2nd issue of Working Titles: Journal for Practice Based Research published by the Bauhaus Universität, Weimar. It has been a long but fantastic experience working with Xenia and Gabriel of the Working Titles editorial board and my two fantastic peer reviewers, Luise Vormittag and Hayfaa Al-Chalabi of UA; notably, the advice on the naming of the title that came from Luise. I appreciate the generosity of all involved and thank them for dedicating their time, support and expertise, it has been invaluable.
Risky Objects Abstract:
This autoethnographic PhD research utilises personal experience of eating disorders as a lens to critique broader culture. Poor body image will affect most Western women and girls; it is part of our everyday being. Western ideals have been used to construct race, sex, and class hierarchies, and continue to influence our cultural discourse. Although ideals shift over time, the white, thin ideal has been unwavering and othering.
Like the body, the home has also become idealised. Although the home can be experienced as a place of comfort and familiarity, struggles can hide in plain sight. !rough object illustrations mimicking domestic ware, I invite the audience to sit at my childhood dinner table.
Illustration must communicate with an audience and through my object illustrations I aim to develop a methodology to engage groups of women in critical dialogue on body image. However, this topic risks causing distress, meaning a balance between sensitivity and honest testimony is needed. By illustrating open and fragmented narratives I try to create objects that engage audiences while avoiding potential retraumatisation. Each group provides feedback to inform the following round of this reflective and iterative practice. This article describes the first group engagement where I consider how emotion and affect can generate affective resonance.
The full article can be found here: Risky Objects: Illustrating Situated Body Image Experience
The journal can be found here: Issue No. 2/2023 COMPROMISED VISIONS: “Lately, she’s been seeing things differently”