#spresearch

In general, guys displayed a more positive outlook on dating, although this observation might be influenced by the smaller circle of men we managed to interview. Nonetheless, there are striking similarities in the views across genders. Some male participants noted that dating doesn't always feel equal and highlighted expectations placed on them. Men expressed a desire for reciprocity, wanting to receive effort and feel a balanced contribution from both sides.

Zoë Buckman's deeply personal art is rooted in her own experiences and emotions, often incorporating her "shadow self" from her subconscious. Her work explores dualities such as hard and soft, masculine and feminine, and the domestic and surreal. She gained recognition through her "Every Curve" exhibition in 2016, embroidering misogynistic lyrics on delicate lingerie. Using vintage textiles, she finds beauty in their stories and imperfections, addressing issues of feminism, masculinity, and violence against women. Buckman's art encourages people to embrace all aspects of themselves and challenges traditional notions of gender, advocating for fairness for both men and women.

Her thoughtful consideration of materials and mediums effectively communicates her narratives. In my project, I should also focus on material choices, textures, and visuals for my project as they play a crucial role in conveying messages.

Ukraine by Albina Kolesnichenko

Albina uses white storks to recreate the shapes of latin letters. White storks are a national symbol of Ukraine that stands for spring, peace and babies. Since the start of the war it has been used a lot as a call for peace. I love how illustrative this poster is and how effectively she manipulates the bird shapes to adjust them to letter forms.

Stolen Today and Now by Liza Yablonska-Mykhailus

This particular piece doesn't include the use of type, however I love the application of marks to demonstrate the damage caused by the war. I think the missing parts of the buildings and the way Liza utilised it could be implemented into my experimentation process. For example, I could explore print and purposefully use less paint in certain parts of the letters to demonstrate the idea of disconnection between two countries.

Apocalypses by Dariya Filipova

The Backup Ukraine app (D&AD winner)

The Backup Ukraine app uses extended reality and allows people to recreate 3D models of sculptures, protecting cultural heritage from complete destruction during the war with Russia. This project is significantly relevant and important for the future of Ukraine. It's not only creative but highly purposeful.

Palyanytsa by Daria Michri from Against War Gallery

Palyanytsa is a type of Ukrainian bread that is similar to sourdough. In the middle of the poster in black it says 'word or death' in Ukrainian. I couldn't find a description to Daria's piece, but from my understanding, she tried to emphasise the importance of Ukrainian traditions and cultural heritage. The use of 'word or death' is a common way of phrasing war slogans. In the history 'freedom or death', 'victory or death' were commonly used in wars as mottoes or battle cries, phrases that soldiers shout when going in a battle. I think in this poster Daria used this motif to highlight the importance of cultural values that can be found in words. Her artwork made it to an exhibition in Hamburg. In her instagram post she mentions how she was worried that visitors won't understand the meaning of the poster because of the language barrier. However, she solved this problem successfully by placing traditional table cloth and bread on a pillar.

Visually, I loved the chosen typeface and the way she utilised it, merging some of the letters (Ц and Н) together for fluidity and complexity. This typeface looks traditional and old-fashioned due to its serifs and unusual curves. I think it communicates her message successfully. The use of red, white and black reminds the viewer of war themes and translates the meaning behind the project.

These were more detailed mind maps, where I documented areas for research and any ideas I was getting while gaining new knowledge about my theme.

I also wrote down a list of questions that might offer me deeper understanding of what I should be producing:

What do I know about Russia and Ukraine?

What can I remember about my grandparents?

What problem am I trying to solve by working on this project?

What led to the differences in these languages?