This project introduced us to a broad knowledge of design and its environment. We explored the evolution of art and design practices embedded within the culture and communities of different contexts. Through this project, we gradually built our awareness and practice of systematic inquiry.
People with different culture but the same community|Buzzfeed
Pre Task: Explore a festival from your native culture
For the pre-task, we had to select a festival that is unique to our own native culture and it is celebrated in our family. Afterwards, we were asked to explore and inquire about that specific festival with the help of our elders in the family. We could also dig into our photographs to collect pieces of evidence.
'The greatness of a culture can be found in its festivals.'
This was the following information that I acquired from my family members about the festival:
Since I am a Hindu, I chose the festival of Navratri. I chose this festival because it is a very significant festival in our culture which is celebrated for nine days. After talking to my family, I got to know some different perspectives of the festival.
Initially, they took me through the meaning of Navratri. They told me that during this festival each day is a celebration of one of the nine goddesses. According to my father, he was taught that in 9 days we pray for the 9 goddesses or something in relation to 9 planets.
We read Katha once a day to pray to each goddess and to pay our respects.
In this festival, we keep fast according to our suitable days but we have to keep it for our satisfaction. They enlightened me by telling me that fasting helps us to give a break from our regular unhealthy diet. Along with that, it gives our body a mental rest and makes god happy.
The food we eat during our fast
I asked them about the rituals that we perform on the last day of the Navratri. They told me that we perform Kanjak.
Putting tikka on the forehead
We wear traditional clothes these days which gives a feeling of togetherness to the people who share the same history that they want to preserve and remember.
Day 1: Explore our own culture through festivals
Culture is the learned set of beliefs, values, customs, and religious practices shared by a group of people. It is a combination of elements that affect how people think, how they act, and what they own.
‘Culture is an infinite segment of meanings and assumptions.’
Activity 1.1
For the first activity of the day, we had to explore the meaning behind practices(rituals and customs) followed in celebrating the chosen festival. This includes food, clothing, artifacts, sacred objects, sacred/ auspicious art, and symbols.
Picture1: Inquiry of the selected festival|Miro
Yellow Boxes: Material components
Dark Blue boxes: Non-Material components
Link of Miro Board: https://miro.com/app/board/o9J_khHfL2M=/?moveToWidget=3074457351583592680&cot=12
Reflection
On the morning of our new activity, we had an enriched discussion about our pre-task activity. We were encouraged to share our experiences. After listening to other students, I realized that an ample amount of students in our class have different religious practices and beliefs related to a festival that they have been following for years without any reason.
I must confess that before working on this project, I had some thoughts that "I don't know why we have all these rituals" or " If we can get rid of all superstitions and rituals, then it would be relevant."
I grew up watching girls visiting our house and we shower them with prasad and gifts. Only later I realized that it's another way of paying gratitude to the Supreme Goddess. Only nine girls are welcomed into the house. The context of the ritual was forgotten but the practice remained. This is true for many rituals that I find around the world.
While the practice might get fuzzy around the edges, the rituals themselves have a certain beauty. If we can understand its significance, then we will be able to upgrade the practice without letting go of the sentiment. But if we don't then we would either blindly follow it or abandon it altogether in both cases, it is our loss.
Also, in the process of inquiry, I started to have more respect for the festival. Because I got to know that everything in this specific culture happens for a reason. Not even a single ritual is useless or meaningless. At the festival, it has the ultimate goal to bring us together and to share happiness.
At the beginning of the day, culture was a vague term for me but as we discussed upon it further, I realized that culture is such a broad umbrella that helps to keep the people united and represents their identity.
Activity 1.2
There are many elements and aspects of culture. However, each can be categorized as either material or non-material components.
In this activity, we had to identify and segregate the material and non-material components of the culture as visible in the festival with the help of a visual organizer.
Refer to the above picture 1.1
Reflection-1
This concept of segregation was at times unsettling for me. I could not understand that why there was a need to segregate information into material and non-material? It could have also named "reason and fact". These were my first thoughts when I heard the brief. This happened because I already had a pre-existing definition of material and non-material and therefore, I heard the brief skeptically.
After starting the segregation, I could notice the difference and clarity that I was gaining. After completing the table, it was easier to articulate and understand the distinction. Due to this contrast, I was able to question more because the material things were evident.
According to my understanding, material components include the factual practices or beliefs that we create or follow according to our ancestors. For Example: In my chosen festival, Navaratri, we cannot stand while having our meal.
Whereas, non-material components include the reason for the creation of the abstract ideas we have been following. For example: During Navratri, eating in a proper sit-down arrangement is a way of showing respect to the food. It is because we have food on our plate that we are alive, hence it must be given all the due respect and not be chugged down in a hurry.
Both material and non-material components are highly interrelated when we express our beliefs, values, and understanding of artifacts, architecture, and art.
Example: Fasting customs follow a strict vegetarian diet and abstain from alcohol and certain spices because Onion and garlic are considered to be tamasic (sedative) food in nature and are said to invoke carnal energy in the body. Spices that generate heat must also be avoided.
I think these components help to evolve the thinking of a person. By knowing the material components, he/she will try to find the non-material component for it. By knowing the non-material part of a culture, we will be able to question our pre-existing beliefs. This will ultimately help in the development of a society and hence their culture.
For example, during kanjak, my mother used to call some girls at our house, irrespective of the number. While inquiring about this I told my mother that we are supposed to call only 9 girls in our house which represents 9 goddesses whom we pray for 9 days. She found my piece of information reasonable. Just by understanding the non-material component, from that day, I changed one practice in a ritual.
Sources of all the information|Miro
Home Task
We had to select one functional object and write a note of approximately 50 words citing the reason for choosing this object over other objects. Afterward, we had to select another person using a similar object. The person should be from different demographics.
I had chosen a bottle as my object. Along with that, I had chosen my sister who belongs to another age group. The reason I chose this object is that both of us are very specific about our bottles. I have never noticed it before but while searching for an object I realized that my sister and I are very particular about our bottles. Neither we prefer to share it, nor do we prefer to change it.
This is my sister’s water bottle. This is a Milton bottle. She carries this everywhere because she finds the quantity sufficient and easy to carry. Along with that, she feels that her water temperature stays constant. The bottle is visually attractive and pretty.
The difference between our bottles
Left: my water bottle
Right: my sister's water bottle
My water bottle is completely different from hers. This is a Milton bottle but the quantity is more than her and it’s a bit heavier as well. I am fine with that because I travel less so the weight is not an issue for me. Along with that, my priority is the amount of water that it can retain. My bottle is a lot more colorful than her.
Day 2: Explore the components of a culture
"The crucial differences which distinguish human societies and human beings are not biological. They are cultural." -Ruth Benedict
A community is a social unit with commonalities such as norms, religion, values, customs, or identity. Communities may share a sense of place situated in a given geographical area (e.g. a country, village, town, or neighborhood) or in virtual space through communication platforms.
For Instance: A Community of family
School Community
College Community
Activity 2.1
For this activity, we selected an object along with a person who uses a similar object. Now, we had to dive further by doing a comparative study between the perspectives and perception of both people towards the object with the help of a visual organizer.
Comparative study of the object|Miro
Link of Miro Board: https://miro.com/app/board/o9J_khHfL2M=/?moveToWidget=3074457351585634028&cot=12
Activity 2.2
We have to identify and segregate the information under Text-Context-Subtext using different colored highlighters.
One concept is different from the other. The former concept helps to inquire and understand the belief that we drive from our rituals. We had to seek meanings and draw conclusions.
In contrast, the segregations of text- context-subtext was for completely different purposes. All three of them are interlinked. This concept helped me understand the importance of the context we have on a particular object or situation. When objects are situated in different contexts, it influences our beliefs and the way we perceive them. The symbolic associations with the same physical characteristic changes. Thus context is important in providing a frame of reference for the interpretation of meanings in the text. It provides cues to people when making sense of the text components.
For Example: In my object, the meaning of the same object completely changed when it was used by a teenager or a corporate person.
Reflection-2
Different communities around the world have different cultural understandings of the same object. I selected an object the same as my sister but it still has different thoughts and actions over it.
While asking the questions regarding the object, I figured that the object seems to be similar but our values and cultures are completely different. Both of us bought these bottles for completely different reasons.
My sister uses the bottle to carry in her workplace. Therefore, I found it really fascinating to find that most of her coworkers also prefer to carry the same kind of water bottle because its color shows how graceful, modern, and elegant you are. Therefore, it is their belief that it kind of enhances their identities and makes them look more professional.
The other reason for buying her own bottle before her job was to avoid using the plastic glasses in her working space. Most people in the twenties become conscious of the problems and diseases that can be caused by accidentally sharing the same glass of water.
Whereas, my water bottle caters to the needs of the school community. I have a completely different belief attached to it. Bottle's appearance is not a priority over my need of having water to survive through the day. Most of the students in my school are teens. Therefore, they are more carefree and are comfortable sharing their water bottles with their friends.
While researching the object, I figured that social situations demand that we choose a particular value over others. Our workspaces change our values, our beliefs, and our mores.
In today's class, we used two different concepts. Initially, I was in a dilemma when they introduced us to these new concepts. I was struggling while segregating the information. As we kept on having discussions with our faculties and classmates, I unknowingly started gaining more clarity with the help of my classmates.
The objective of both concepts was to give us insights into our practices. Material and nonmaterial segregation helps in acquiring the answers to some of the learned and abstract cultural practices that we have been following for ages. The other concept helps to further segregate and gain clarity in different contexts.
Day 3: Explore culture through the lifestyle of a community
"Preservation of one's own culture does not require
contempt or disrespect for other cultures."
Cesar Chavez
Activity 3.1
We have to investigate and explore the lifestyle and culture of the chosen indigenous community which are not much influenced by the phenomenon of modernization as the rest of the world is.
In our respective groups, we have to make a visual organizer of a particular community.
I was assigned the reading of the NDEBELE COMMUNITY.
Activity 3.2
Explore what people from the chosen indigenous community consider beautiful and why
We have to continue working in our respective groups.
Sources of the information|Miro
Link of Miro Board: https://miro.com/app/board/o9J_khHfL2M=/?moveToWidget=3074457351586088609&cot=12
Day 4: Explore culture through the lifestyle of a community
"Culture does not make people. People make culture."
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Activity 4.1
We have to compile the individual findings in the group to decode the components of a lifestyle of the community holistically and decipher the meaning.
Within our respective groups, we have to discuss and write insights on how practices in the identified domains are reflective of the norms and beliefs of the community as a whole.
These are the following insights:
Insight: They are great artisans. They know how to express themselves creatively.
Insight: Ring is a fundamental object for them. They hold them to the utmost importance It shows their status and worth.
Females are more into decorative stuff as compared to men.
Insight: People try to be recognized and stand out whenever they used to do something significant.
Insight: The Ndebele culture has a strong patriarchal attitude as the community practices polygamy with women adding lots of respect to their men and sons.
Eg: The Ndebele community practice the rite of passage and initiation ceremonies such as the male initiation to mark the childhood right of passage. The girl initiation procedure in which isikhethu is enunciated through decorative beads and clothing.
Reflection-3
After writing the insights of the particular community, I realized that why do follow all these rituals and practices for years. I came up with the answer that people crave to belong to something, to feel like they fit in. Everyone craves social interaction, especially with people with similar tastes and interests.
People with whom you can talk about music and your favorite movies etc. Communities provide a context for these interactions between like-minded people. Every community has a unique framework, ideas, stories, experiences, knowledge, and documents that community member shares.
Being a part of a community can have a major backdrop. People tend to accept everything without objecting to anything. They don't want to feel excluded.
In the afternoon discussion, we discussed norms. Norms are the agreed-upon expectations and rules by which a culture guides the behavior of its members in any given situation. Norms vary widely across cultural groups. We all see the world through cultural glasses. The lens through which our brain sees the world shapes our reality.
Christians, for instance, wear a white color dress at the wedding ceremony. Hindus wear a white color dress during death ceremonies.
Sometimes we create these norms intentionally and sometimes unintentionally. Through these norms, we start developing a sense of community.
Day 5: To explore culture through the concept of beauty
"Culture opens a sense of beauty."
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Activity 5.1
We had to individually create a visual board with photographs of our participating in six different activities/occasions. Afterward, we have to find similarities and differences in our pictures and pictures of the rest of the board members.
Activity 5.2
We have to explore the concept of beauty in our own culture. Individually we created a visual board with our photographs of different activities/occasions and further divide it into text-context and subtext.
Reflection-4
After completing our organizer, we had a discussion on the concept of beauty with respect to its context. Initially, I was in a dilemma because I was amazed to find how the concept of beauty has a common association with the context. During our discussions, I remember that everyone was focusing on the point that 'beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder, 'beauty is about accepting yourself', and 'beauty is judged with the fairness parameter and body symmetry'.
Slowly our discussion started taking another perspective. The discussion started making sense the moment ma'am asked us the question that 'Is the skin color the only parameter to judge beauty or it is a parameter in your culture?' It struck me that the parameters of beauty are different for every culture. People have different perspectives.
For example: From our activity, I understood that I dress differently according to every occasion. According to each occasion, the meaning of looking beautiful is different. If I will wear ethnic clothes at a night party, then it will make me look different and out of context. Whereas if I will wear that same dress at a festival, it will make me look suitable.
I understood that the concept of beauty is different according to the context of that person.
Our perception of beauty guided by our cultural influences.
Day 6: Explore our own lifestyle and our cultural identity
We all come from diverse cultures and when we all come together, we create a cohort. To have a sense of belonging in the heterogeneous social group, and not feel excluded or alienated, we have identified some commonalities /some similarities that connect us.
On the concluding day of this project, we will explore these shared identities (ideas and beliefs, likings, behavior) and how culture is a way of life and design for a living.
"Community is much more than belonging to something;
it is about doing something together that makes belonging matter"
-Brian Solis
Norms are expectations and rules for proper conduct that guide the behavior of group members. Among all groups, norms provide guidelines that tell members how they should think and act in any given social situation.
For Example: Wear proper school in the school
Greet your teacher
Activity 6.1
In our respective groups, we have to do brainstorming of activities and environments, where we behave according to the given norms. We have to list the possible communities we belong to.
Link to Miro Board: https://miro.com/app/board/o9J_khHfL2M=/?moveToWidget=3074457351590915133&cot=12
Beliefs are a set of learned interpretations that form the basis for cultural members to decide what is and what is not logical and correct. Beliefs are specific thoughts or ideas that people hold to be true.
Activity 6.2
In this activity, we have to segregate norms and beliefs into text-context-subcontext and material, nonmaterial components. Along with that, we have to write insights drawn from this mapping.
These are the following insights:
Insight 1: Norms are basic to every social situation, yet because they are so tightly woven into the fabric of social life, we often take them for granted. While working on this map, I realized that a community will fall apart if we will stop following its norms. Because each set of the community has different norms and beliefs. Every community has an individual identity with the help of norms.
Insight 2: Norms are followed only when everyone is obeying it. We expect others to do the same. For example, every student in the class greets their teacher in the morning. But if only one student will do it, it will feel bizarre. It may not be appreciated as well.
Insight 3: A large number of norms are rooted in our tradition and culture. These also include some of the norms which do not have any belief. They are universally accepted because they are taught us by our ancestors. For example, We have to respect our elders.
Insight 4: Norms are categorized as good or bad based on different cultures. Sometimes are bad in culture while they are considered good in other cultures. Similarly, beliefs also vary according to the culture or community of an individual
Insight 5: Over the years, people tend to convert belief into a superstition. While writing down beliefs in the mao. I noticed that my grandmother used to say that if I won't follow this norm then I will be punished. For example: never say 'no' to god's Prashad.
Insight 6: A lot of our norms formed because of our beliefs.
Final Reflection
"The identity of an individual is essentially a function of ones' choice..."
Amartya Sen
Communities play an important role in every aspect of our lives. It's important to feel a commonality between ourselves and other members of our community. Having a sense of community unites us. It gives us opportunities to connect with people, to reach for our goals, and makes us feel safe and secure. Communities also affect our beliefs and values.
In my college community, it is a belief to know each other's perspectives.
We do this by having informative discussions among our peers.
We review each other's projects and try to give honest feedback.
Along with that, we even appreciate other peers' efforts.
Lastly, we listen to each other which helps us in knowing and understanding different cultural backgrounds and their rituals.
Back in the school days, consistency was the belief that everyone tries to attain.
Every day we used to make at least 2 paintings during our fine arts period.
We used to read the newspaper daily to gain a habit of reading.
We have to submit our notebooks on a regular basis so that we can perform well on our boards.
In the community of my close friends, it is a belief to show someone how important and valuable a member s/he is
We video call with each other once a month
We click and upload pictures with them
Wish them on their special occasions
We try to help each as much as possible
Personal Beliefs
A lot of our beliefs are formed during our childhood. As we start questioning and inquiring, our beliefs keep on modifying. Therefore, belief changes at a rapid rate. People rationalize one set of beliefs to accommodate others. There are a couple of beliefs that I agree and disagree with. I disagree with one of our timeless belief of respecting our elders. Most people agree with this belief because it is passed down generation after generation without any reasonable explanation or argument.
We respect our elders by:
Always greet them with a smile and certain hand gestures such as saying 'namaste' or 'touching their feet.
Referring to them as uncle and aunty instead of calling them by their name.
Never argue with them or share our personal opinion with them if they find it offensive.
Always handing them with a gift or money.
I think respect and age do not go hand in hand.
Since childhood, everyone has repeatedly heard of the phrase "respect your elders no matter what". Respect is something that is earned. It's a lot like trust. Everyone earns your respect through their actions, not by their title. Sometimes, these kinds of beliefs even give them an illusion of superiority.
According to me, we should respect those who deserve it. The ways of showing respect are also really different. Greeting them is not a way of showing respect. Exchanging a gift is not a symbol of love until it is given with love and affection. It is a formality that is carried on over generations.
I will show them respect by talking to them, listening to them, learning from them. I will give them a gift any day because I want to tell them that I am grateful to have them in my life. I may not greet them every morning or I might call them once a month but I will talk to them with all my sincerity and dedication.
Showing respect does not come from calling them by their names. I can't find any suitable reason to follow this norm. I don't know them, I don't want to respect them. I want to treat them like any other person in my life. In the American culture, everyone refers to an unknown person by their name or surname irrespective of his/her age.
I am not saying that we shouldn't respect them, however, we shouldn't respect them because they are our elders. Not all adults deserve your respect. Personally, I will always respect my parents, grandparents, and my mentors who genuinely helped me to make me stand where I am right now. A child should have the etiquette of treating everyone politely. But respecting them and how to show that is completely his or her choice.
Conflicting Belief
Smoking and abusing among women is a sign of empowerment
Interestingly, most memorable female lead roles are expressed with a certain set of characteristics- smoking, abusing, and interest in sex. Some of the Bollywood movies are Bareilly ki Barfi and Manmarziyaan skews the belief of women empowerment by prioritizing their freedom to consume alcohol. In the recent slot of films, they are assertive and sexually confident but rarely have careers or career aspirations.
While for other communities, an empowered woman is someone who stands out from others because she is determined and focused to be a part of the workplace. A woman who is bold and confident.
According to me, smoking is not a characteristic of judging women's empowerment. Along with that only well behaved and determined are the only traits needed. Both of them simultaneously go hand in hand. A disciplined and successful can smoke under certain influences. Whereas a bold and confident woman can be disrespectful to others' feelings.
Being able to make a living and support oneself is certainly a critical piece of the empowerment puzzle, but it is only one piece.
I have learned a lot throughout the project. I was able to connect every activity easily through my own personal experiences. In this project, I was also introduced to various tools such as 5w1h which helped me during my process of inquiry.
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