Life Recycling: An Alternative Feminist Narrative of Birth and Death
Life Recycling: An alternative feminist narrative of Birth and Death revolves around creating a feminist spatial design, which combines the experiences of Birth and Death. The fundamental aims of the project are to restore the role of femininity in the events of Birth and Death, to encapsulate feminist ideals within an interior space and to adapt an overall feminine approach to design. In doing so adding to the ever-growing discourse surrounding feminism in regard to Interior Design and challenging the limits and parameters of the subject. As well as this the objective is to create a non-religious solution that provides acceptance and comfort when confronted with the subject of our own mortality.
Researching feminist discourse was integral to my project as well as the exploration of films, literature, design and art. Key findings from my research were the many correlations between Birth and Death, the historical relationship between women and nature within the interior and the connection between femininity, sentiment and ritual. I also adapted a feminine approach to the design process which incorporated fluid research methods such as imaginative drawing, collages, experimentation and 3D modelling. From such studies I was able to unearth an in-depth understanding of my project which fuelled core developments of the project.
The result of my research manifested in three identical structures which act as temporary birth/burial Life Recycling centres, the skin of the buildings are designed to decompose after five years allowing nature to reclaim the site. Core mechanisms within the design are underground Metamorphic Pods which use the energy produced by deceased bodies to grow artificial wombs where babies are grown, and Decomposing Ornamental Graves which serve as a form of remembrance for the deceased and for parent(s)[1] of born/unborn babies. The project acts as feminist interpretation of spatial practice which challenges the rules, conventions and male canon of design and academia.
[1] Parent(s) referring to the variable combinations of guardians due to the use of Artificial Wombs.
Imaginative Drawings
I created the method of Imaginative Drawings as a means of research which allowed me to fully explore the depths of my project whilst embodying a feminist approach that challenges the formality and technicality of the masculine canon in design. The method involved drawing symbolism, mechanisms and general concepts which were conjured in my imagination in response to my research. I would then digitalise the drawings and create collages which I analysed and annotated in order to uncover my subconscious understanding of my research. Through this process I was able to visually develop conceptual ideas and unearth key symbolism to the project- such as butterflies, cocoons and flowers. Using my imagination as a means of research allowed me evolve ideas with fluidity and openness without the constraints of technical and practical thinking. By the end of the project I had a collection of drawings all of which aided in the formation of my final outcome and conveyed an alternative, feminine narrative to design.
Word Association Experiment
In order to cultivate my Imaginative Drawing process, I felt it necessary to further uncover narratives on Birth and Death which I could then use as inspiration when drawing. I also aimed to explore personal associations of Birth and Death which I could then challenge, celebrate and merge through my design. I did this by creating a word association experiment where I asked friends and family to give me three words they associated with Birth and three words they associated with Death. I chose this method as it embodies a fluid, open approach to research and also inserts the beliefs, feelings and ideas of real people into the project. I made sure to be ethically considerate of the topics I was exploring and asked participants permission to be involved in a study exploring potentially sensitive topics. I made sure to involve participants ranging in age and gender and also to involve those who have given Birth/those who haven’t.
