In Forming Identity is a series examining the diverse origins of cultural icons, like the Hawaiian shirt and the baguette.
In Forming Identity, my master’s project from Loughborough University, is a collection of artist’s books exploring the cultural diversity behind regionally iconic objects. I selected Loughborough because of the emphasis placed on the final project, which could be anything the student wanted to focus on. I chose to make a series of booklets exploring the unexpected origins behind objects we associate with one particular culture.
Inspiration struck while I was listening to one of my favorite podcasts, 99% Invisible. The episode is a deep dive into the origins of the Hawaiian, or aloha shirt. It revealed that this iconic garment is the result of Japanese immigrants using traditional kimono fabric to make a Western-style collared shirt. The iconic, place-specific shirt could not have existed without a different culture’s contributions. With this as my starting point, I produced a series of nine booklets. Eight of them discuss a cultural icon and the ninth is an artist’s statement that expounds upon the project as a whole.
Booklet Design
Each booklet has a very simple cover, with just an icon and the subject title. The interior of the book features the history of the object on the left page, with a pull quote on the right. Flag icons are placed below, representing the cultures or nations that contributed to the development of the object in question.
Poster Design
I used a surrealist approach to create the imagery for the posters. The project’s goal is to subvert expectations and reveal the unfamiliar in the familiar, and the surrealist style helps connect this idea to the imagery. I attended a surrealist exhibition at the Tate Modern during this time and was inspired by works from around the world by Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso, Koga Harue, René Magritte, and many more. The exhibition noted surrealism’s “relationship with the ‘uncanny’ —a familiar sight made disconcerting and strange by the unexpected.” It further states “With its potential to reveal hidden truths, the uncanny is well suited to satire and political subversion.” Although I aim to be more playful than disconcerting, surrealism remains a fitting approach for my revelations of hidden histories. I used a variety of production methods to further heighten the surprise of the final image, including 3D modeling, risograph printing, vector illustration, and a linocut print.
Artist’s Statement
The “artist’s statement” booklet is the only booklet that breaks the interior layout template. It doesn’t feature flags or a pull quote. Instead, it features a map graphic containing all the connections discussed in the series. It highlights the connections using each icon’s established booklet color swatch. This final booklet explains the project and its intention. This featured poster emphasizes that humanity’s differences are dwarfed by our similarities when viewed from a broader perspective. Instead of giving in to fear and malice, these connections and collaborations should be celebrated and treasured.
Postcards
In addition to the booklets, I also printed postcards of each item. These offer another opportunity for engagement. The user can participate in their own cultural exchange by sending a postcard to a friend or family member in another place. The postcards feature the pull quote from each respective booklet, offering a teaser and encouraging the recipient to learn more. This interaction helps the user become more invested in the project while engaging with global interaction by sending a physical card elsewhere.
