Zeyna Hadidi

Date of Award

2018

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Humanities

First Advisor

Burns, Samantha

Area of Concentration

Art

Abstract

A natural impulse for all humans when perceiving data from our surroundings is to sort through the information in order to make sense of our world. Using this information, we evaluate where we stand in relation to our environment. Assumptions based on previous experiences and culturally learned preconceptions affect how we relate with and treat others in a social environment. Those who have dissimilar beliefs and characteristics are met with fear and enmity, while those that are similar to ourselves help to form and justify parts of our individual identities. Using our natural proclivity to sort using prior information, society tends to create arbitrary cultural standards which individuals then use to determine their place and that of others within a group. Through my artwork, I aim to shed light on these habits in order to allow the audience a chance for self reflection. My mixed media sculptural works play upon these tendencies, which are subconsciously acted out in the gallery space when audience members are confronted with my art; the pieces‟ titles are written to encourage discourse and self awareness. Although I discuss the negative outcomes of focusing on the differences between individuals, I also aim to celebrate the differences within my work as opposed to ignoring them completely. The use of bright colors and inviting forms allow for a celebratory view of differences in an exploration of Otherness in present-day Western society.

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