MA Fashion Exploration and Practice
Student Name: Belgin Vehbi
Module Code: FTM411
Module Leader: Sian Mooney
Student number: U1058651
Date: 14/12/2011
Absurd vs Acceptability
The concept Absurd v Acceptability I believe has evolved from a deep rooted subconscious belief that we, or maybe just I, are some how entrapped and feel we need to disguise what we really feel from the exterior. There is a part of this belief in our personalities, or perhaps it's just in mine, that feels compelled to keep this trait of our personality suppressed. This stems from the fear of not fitting in with what society expects or perceives as being normal. The norm has become absurd to an extent where we are all dictated to by society; what we should be thinking; how we should be behaving and feeling and what we should be wearing in order to conform with what is perceived as being normal.
The way we are expected to appear in our designated or selected cultural groups does not necessarily portray what we're feeling within or where we want to be. I feel there are unspoken rules of what is acceptable and not acceptable in our everyday lives, which we feel compelled to adhere to in order not to be stigmatised in our designated groups, even though many of us would not admit to it. This stems from the notion that following these unspoken rules will be instrumental in being successful in our chosen paths. This principal is not dissimilar to the children’s game "Simon Says” where the designated person commands an action and all the participants obey in order to stay in the game.
The concept of not revealing any part of the body on one side of the dress is an ironic statement, not doing as we are told or what is expected of us. It may seem absurd that one half of the dress is a silhouette which emphasises the contours of the female form which makes the principal concept, on the whole, acceptable. The contoured half of the dress helps our brain configure and accept what we are engaging in. The most simplistic way to analyse the dress would be a comparison to a playground "See Saw" where one person will always be grounded while the other person is elevated, neither position is considered unacceptable or absurd; as they are both consequences of the other one’s position. What we regard as absurd is only in relation to what we regard as acceptable in each given situation, The absurd is merely a comparison to what we see as being acceptable; i.e. the contoured side of the dress and vice versa. When we realise a space, object or situation is merely a consequence of an action that it is attached to and which we are familiar with, or we find acceptable, we feel assured, as we are not challenged or threatened by the half that is absurd. The more I see the pieces on the stand the more clarity I have as to why these pieces came about. There is a fine line in our every day lives which we are all conditioned not to cross. However if one does choose to cross the line in a subtle, non aggressive manner the message will not be lost or disregarded.
Each dress demands the same consideration and engagement as one would have with a piece of Art. The viewer needs to consider the dress as a complete piece of work rather than two halves. The question then arises: Are they seeing what is there or their interpretation of it and visualising what they are familiar and comfortable with? A quote by the photographer Diane Arbus conveys this perfectly," ...a thing is not seen because it is visible, but conversely visible because it is seen...“
The conventional, contoured half of the dress serves as justification or as a pacifier, everything is fine and there is no reason for concern. The dresses do not contain any sinister, sad, entrapped or deprived undertones. All the pieces in the collection are carefully considered pieces of work which question the terms absurd and acceptable. The beautifully crafted side is carving the path for the viewer to accept the half that has no structure but merely sweeps closely around the body with no provision for the arm. The pieces when worn do not feel unnatural after the initial adjustment of realising one side of the body is not participating in what would be considered the norm. The side where the arm is not exposed would be the side one would expect to refer to as absurd, however by contrast the other side with the hip extension detail could also be referred to as absurd in a different scenario. The evaluation of either side is a mere reflection of what the other side is saying, which is what places one side in the absurd and one side in the acceptable category.
The consideration of what is acceptable and what is absurd is a grey area with no definite answer in this instance, this collection of work is no exception. The idea of not having a title was a consideration, so the viewer does not have a preconceived title to try and relate to, however I wanted the comparison to be between Absurd and Acceptability. Like any viewer’s experience of a piece of Art in a gallery there will always be a varied selection of journeys and outcomes.
I have developed the concept a stage further, where the idea of two bodies sharing one space is constructed. This I have called the twin dress, each body stands side by side facing opposite directions. This further challenges the question of Absurd or Acceptable; both the occupants are comfortable, both have one arm exposed. This progression seems really natural and it is challenging us at the same time. Just how far can we go before even beautifully crafted pieces of work are disregarded as they do not conform with the norm; or what the general census regards as the norm?
In preparation for the launch of my structural fashion collection, additional work carried out for the Absurd vs Acceptability concept include garment structures (five pieces in exhibition Absurd vs Acceptability). Professional photographs of work, designing of website, business cards and postcards and designed and produced 3D scanning and digital printing i.e. a small 3D print of one of my dresses. Designed and prototyped the packaging for the 3D print. I also created two new email addresses, one for fashion/ pattern cutting/ teaching and the second for bodies of work to be exhibited i.e. Absurd vs Acceptability. The exhibit was further enchanced by the projection of a slide show I had created, using photo shoot images with a rotating background to a mellow soundscape.
Conclusion
My journey over the last year has been somewhat of a rollercoaster at times, however I have enjoyed every moment as I embraced many new learning opportunities and disciplines. The last two modules were especially stimulating and I have been in my element experimenting and developing new, interesting shapes and fabric structures. I set my own brief and feel I have successfully completed what I set out to achieve; the design and packaging of a complete new brand, ready to launch.
Having carefully considered my subject matter and this concept over the last two modules I can only conclude that there is no differentiation between Absurd or Acceptability. On reflection, it's all down to what we find aesthetically pleasing, this is what makes the object acceptable, regardless of how unpractical it may be. By contrast the same set of considerations would not be given if the object was not aesthetically pleasing. I intend to further develop and elaborate on my concept using a range of fabrics and possibly print. I like the idea of introducing a three piece body of work (Triple Dress) as a finale piece to conclude the whole body of work to date. Following ongoing research into contemporary, suitable gallery space I plan to exhibit the entire body of work (6 pieces) including the proposed Triplet Dress. I hope to make the work accessible to a wider audience, encourage interaction and challenge more people’s acceptance of the norm. This would be a perfect summary and launch of my new work, following a truly brilliant year.
