Final Project Proposal
Abstract: This project that I'm going to try to achieve is going to be similar to my project of "alcohol kills". I believe that addiction in our lives is such a huge issue, and I feel like it's truly not talked enough about. This project is going to be me going into public spaces and holding a sign that says "addiction kills". This is somewhat of a trend that's been happening for years, and I think it will be successful. This is a topic that I'm truly so passionate about and want to maybe even talk to some people about it.
Artist Statement: I've known so many addicts in my life, and still have that continue to this day. Many of my family members were/are addicts and even went to jail because of the chains that hold them down. I think that our society points to partying and drugs to be something to aspire to and it looks inviting. It's so much worse than it's painted out to be, and there are many, many consequences to the actions from this lifestyle. My main goal of this project is truly to try and spread awareness and create thought provoking questions within people. This topic to me as an artist is so personal, and something I know I could deeply connect with. My brother, uncles, and friends have been addicts and being someone affected by it is one thing, but seeing how it affects your loved ones is one million times worse. Having to see my mom go through it with her baby brother AND her son is something I would never wish upon anyone. Being the little sister, and the youngest in the family makes you grow up a lot faster than you would think and gives you access to see a lot of things.
Detailed proposal: For this exact project, my plan is to have some sort of signage that is fairly alluring and nothing that looks like a political agenda, and/or something religious that could turn people away. I’m just going to sit or stand in places with a good handful of people and do nothing but wait. That could mean I talk to 10 people or even none the entire project. To document this, I’m going to have someone I know take a photo from far away so people don’t feel uncomfortable or not want to see what the sign says. The goal of this project is not to persuade, but allow people to vent if they need to. The specific places will happen in places where a lot of shopping and spending money happens, because that is where the most people are. I think that says a lot and really brings us back to our reading of Beach Beneath the Street. The way capitalism runs our country is actually going to benefit me in this project. Malls, grocery stores, or campuses are things run by a capitalist system. I know for a fact these areas will be insanely crowded. Upon my research, I learned about the Situanionist practices of detournement. Basically what this is the disruption of expected flow in a certain space, which is exactly what I’m leaning towards. I want to just quietly insert myself into daily life, and see how it affects those around me and even the effects of it on myself. This project will be a subtle trace of presence, even if nothing is said, the event happened. Ultimately this project is about the jarringness of addiction, how we can connect with addicts and live in the same world as them. This world is so obsessed with money, productivity, work and killing yourself to make ends meet, which can turn a lot of people to addiction. I want to make a space for people who have struggled or watch addiction from afar, without any sort of agenda.
These photos, while funny and a meme, are a perfect representation of the type of thing I want to achieve.
List: 1. Do a place one day a week until due date
2. Print, make, find a sign
3. Figure out places to go, most likely malls, downtown
4. Execute and take the photos.
5. Create a meaningful project, with words, photos, thoughts
Hello, this is a very powerful statement, and I think that by picking a topic that is personal to you, it will benefit positively in how you interact with it. To push this project even further, I think it would be nice to clarify how your approach will let viewers know that the message is about compassion and awareness rather than judgment? Having "Addiction Kills" on a sign is a good start but maybe adding in a more helpful and positive statement underneath can help, like “You’re not alone” or “There’s help out there.” This might make people feel safer to engage and open up. It could also shift the focus slightly more toward healing and connection, rather than just the consequences.
ReplyDeleteI think this project can be really interesting, I feel like location is important in order to get your messages out but it really can just tie things together nice if you choose the right message with the right location. I agree with Aaliyah that it would be kind to have positive statements as well.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate how I’m addressing addiction with honesty and care. My project creates space for reflection without judgment, using subtle presence to disrupt everyday life and spark awareness in public settings.
ReplyDelete