COLLECTION NAME:
Graduate Thesis Collection
Record
Title:
The Birth of Cuteness
Creator:
Stockwell, Emily Renee
Subject:
Thesis (M.F.A.) -- Fibers
Subject:
Savannah College of Art and Design -- Department of Fibers
Rights:
Copyright is retained by the authors or artists of items in this collection, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.
Abstract:
"This thesis, presented in the form of an exhibition catalog, seeks to justify the aesthetic qualities of cuteness experience. The word, ‘cute’ can carry a stigma in the fine art and design world because of the weak and dependent qualities that cute objects possess. Artists who utilize cuteness aesthetics should not be equated with these qualities as they gain power as creators in the domination and manipulation of cute objects. The artist is aware of the weaknesses present in their cute artwork and intentionally imposes these qualities on the object so that a cuteness experience can be had. The biological qualities of cuteness, its history in recent Japanese art culture, a duality in joy and grotesqueness, and cuteness’ potential to obliterate space when used in installation are topics covered in this thesis. These ideas inform the work in the exhibition, 'The Birth of Cuteness,' as described in the descriptions of the works."
Abstract:
Keywords: cuteness, installation, nostalgia, duality, material exploration, textile, otaku, Superflat, pop culture, Japanese influence, pervasive art
Publisher:
Savannah, Georgia : Savannah College of Art and Design
Date:
2019-08
Format:
PDF : 58 pages, color illustrations