#mj_phd_idea

I have been thinking what subject area can be useful to support my creative research. My glass practice research ultimately will approach ‘Exploring my glass art by adopting microaggressions that in my hidden emotion and expressing it by combining kitschy and cuteness of collectible toy that often can be seen through Kidult toy culture’ at the end by making glass art. Because I am a doll collector and a fan of Kidult culture, and a glass artist, I have interested in how playfulness and cuteness can be used as a way of hiding or exploring darker themes.

Unfortunately, there are not many reference resources for Kidult culture theory so far, so instead of finding out precise "Kidult culture", I will have a look for subculture theories including fan culture, designer toys (also known as art toys), popular culture, geek culture, and Japanese and Korea anime (manga) culture. I believe they are closely likened with Kidult culture especially Kidult toy collecting culture which I am very much engaged as my hobby for everyday life and main research resource. Therefore, I will adapt and adopt those subculture theories and contexts to make strong my Kidult culture theory for glass practice.

Kidult toy collecting culture and my artistic theme 'playfulness' are related to adults 'play', I think researching play theory also can be an important part of my thesis. Hence, I have found many articles related to play by Johan Huizinga, Donald Winnicott and a bit of Sigmund Freud. They are famous philosopher and psychoanalysis. Especially, Johan Huizing, I referenced his theory 'Homo Ludens' a lot which demonstrate human’s play for my MFA dissertation and I will adopt his theory again for my PhD research. Because Huizinga’s theory allows me to discuss 'playing' as an essential act for human beings to express themselves and it supports my research by using ‘playfulness’ within my own artistic narrative and Kidult culture. However, Winnicott and Freud’s argument are literally much more focus on psychology aspects and children emotional development by playing. Hence, I do not think their theories would be very useful to develop my project because mine is not that much psychologic research, even though I will express my emotion thorough my practice. Of course at some point I can applied their opinions though.

So, for the feedback what I've received after having a meeting is:

Recommendations made:

- Finding artists who express dark theme or playfulness or both together within their work (To figure out how I could deal dark theme (microaggressions including hidden true emotions and racism) with joyfulness together through my practice research.)

- Received the recommendation resources:

1) ‘2015 Bahra Jalazedah. Playful engagements in product design: Developing a theoretical framework for ludo-aesthetic interactions in kitchen appliance. Theory, Product Design’. -> Would be helpful for my research because the keywords ‘playful’ and ‘design’ are linked with my work.

2) Christopher Day -> A glass artist who has expressed racism.

3) Yinka Shonibare -> Artist has showed racism narrative within the very bright and colourful body of work (An example of dark theme with joyful body work)

4) Dr Jessamy Kelly’s article on Crafts Council website – Mentions equality, microaggressions in terms of racism and gender inequality in craft field.

- Glasgow Women’s Library

- ETHOS website – British library will be useful

- Try using different keywords to find suitable resources (e.g) Playful -> Ludic). Will be able to find more related articles and books what I need.

- Keep recording my think (even small idea) on my blogs and share.

- Make a timeline to manage myself and research

I also completed and forwarded the supervision meeting report to you my supervisors and PhD programme administrator by email with the same contents above.

For the next meeting (29th November 2021), I have been asked to share 3 Year Timeline for my creative research and blog journal to deliver my idea.