Overall I feel that the first half of the project went well and I was successful in producing an outcome that I think, were it applied to a live brief, would be successful. The main strengths were the depth of my research and the way this informed my outcome. The visual result was also well crafted and thought out.

The second brief is less creative as I felt there was a need to for thorough and written research, this involved reading books and journal articles and took up a look up a lot of time and therefore the amount of work produced is less. Non the less I this was a necessary part of the brief; quality over quantity was key here. I feel that I have enriched my knowledge and am much further informed on the subject of sustainability and will benefit from this when it comes to producing my final major project.

When considering the project as a whole I think a weakness lies within the timescale and time management. I felt that I needed to put more time into the first brief in order to ensure a successful outcome and therefore the second brief suffered. However, as this was only a research project and one I intend on continuing on into my final major project I feel that it is a good start and a decent foundation of work to base the next stage of my project on.

Will thuggish ignorance expressed by an unconscionable lust fir money, sectarianism, and nationalism dominate all out landscapes? Will the grip of the controlling one percent continue to tighten, improvising the 99%? – Maddy Harland

What is permaculture?

– Permaculture is an innovative framework for creating sustainable ways of living.

– It is a practical method of developing ecologically harmonious, efficient and productive systems that can be used by anyone, anywhere.

Why save the seed?

Because it is a way to close the loop, especially when so few of the seeds we buy are even produced in our own country, and most are grown using synthetic chemicals.

Vegetable to save the seed from:

– LETTUCE

– PEAS AND FRENCH BEANS

– SQUASHES AND MARROW

Tubers, Bulbs, Shoots to save:

-POTATOES

– GARLIC

TOMATO SIDE SHOOTS

‘It is great if people are buying more fashion – provides livelihoods – as long as you make it responsibly.’

– Katherine Hamnett

  

Marina’s work is rubbish–literally. The brilliant artist uses upcycled trash in her art to raise awareness of ocean and beach pollution. Listed with the Women Environmental Artists Directory, the California based artist partners with various anti-pollution organisations, such as Friends of Ballona Wetlands, Ruckus Roots and the United Nations Special Assembly on Climate Change.

DeBris uses marine debris (as her name states)  to create something rapidly gaining popularity in eco-chic circles: ‘trashion’, i.e. art, jewellery, fashion and objects for the home created from used, thrown-out, found and repurposed elements. She has also used beach trash to provide one perspective on what the earth might look like from space. DeBris is also a social activist and has participated on a panel to show artists can contribute to environmental public policy and promote clean energy. She has also curated an eco-art exhibition.

I like the idea of collecting rubbish and using it to decorate the exhibition or maybe even use for voucher or takeaways, spreading awareness of rubbish/ litter in Brighton. I think that it may be best to keep in line with local scenery in order to really bring the event to life and make it resonate with people.

          

 

THOUGHTS

• Although the images aren’t all of clothes they for me all relate to the idea of consumerism, there are so many options available to choose from.

• There were not tags on the material that stated where they come from which provides evidence and support for the notion that businesses need to be more transparant so that we as consumers know what it is we are buying and can take responsibility for this.

• It is positive to see businesses like the vegetarian shoe shop although this doesn’t necessarily mean it is sustainable.

• There were a ridiculous amount if glass ornaments on display here at a second hand shop which means that a lot of people are buying and then recycling things they don’t want which although could be described as a positive because people are clearly making the effort.

• The image of the books represents this idea of timlessness for me, I love the raw edges and the way they looked used and as if they have had a life before ending up in this shop.

• These hats were on a stall in the laines in Brighton. I loved that they were positioned on mop head.

• Seeing these suitcases pilled up here reminded me of consumption as there were so many that they had to stack them up.

• The boxes and boxes of postcards evident here could be a source for me to use in the event potentially. I could purchase them all and make something for each person to take home, incorporating recylcing into my outcome.

• The bags were stuffed to the point where the shopping experience wasn’t as enjoyable. The charity shop have so many bags that they don’t have enough room for the in storage.

“Unless the flow of plastics and industrial pollution into the world oceans is reduced, marine life will be poisoned by them for many centuries to come. The creatures that live in the big blue are perhaps more remote than any animals on the planet but not remote enough it seems to escape the effects of what we are doing to their world.” – David Attenborough

The Definition:

The definition of “sustainability” is the study of how natural systems function, remain diverse and produce everything it needs for the ecology to remain in balance. It also acknowledges that human civilisation takes resources to sustain our modern way of life (1). There are countless examples throughout human history where a civilisation has damaged its own environment and seriously affected its own survival chances (some of which Jared Diamond explores in his book Collapse: How Complex Societies Choose to Fail or Survive (10)). Sustainability takes into account how we might live in harmony with the natural world around us, protecting it from damage and destruction.

The Three Pillars of Sustainability

In 2005, the World Summit on Social Development identified three core areas involved within philosophy and social science of sustainable development. The three of them are areas in which the world need to deal face. The Brundtland Commission described it as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. When thinking about the future, we must consider the present.

Economic Development:

This is an issue that can be most problematic in that most people disagree on the topic of political ideology and how it affects businesses. It focuses on providing incentives for all in the hope that they will adhere to sustainability guidelines that sit outside their normal legislative requirements. It wants to consider the impact that a group can have rather than concentrate on the individual. Daily lives take a lot of preparation and resources in order to meet expectations; the main focus  of economic development is to try and ensure everyone is happy; that quality of life isnt affected and also to reduce the financial burden and ‘red tape’ of doing the right thing.

Social Development:

Awareness of legislation protection of the health of people from pollution and other harmful side affects from business and organisations is most important. In addition it is about maintaining the access to resources that form the basics we need to survive in life.

Environmental Protection:

Protecting the environment is something that can be achieved through recycling, reducing our power, walking rather than driving etc. Business are regulated in order to reduce pollutants and to keep carbon emissions low which can be influenced by installing renewable power sources in buildings. This pillar is about our ecosystems, air quality, integrity and sustainability of our resources. The technology we use to drive performance is also relevant and how these are used to develop the current state of the world.

 

How does this apply to Fashion?

Does fashion fit into the category of natural? The idea that we naturally need to cover ourselves to keep warm could somehow link fashion and nature. The idea that clothes are able to shape and influence our moods and have been shown to psychologically affect our daily lives through feelings and reactions could be considered to be a natural outcome.

Or is it that we take a natural necessity such as cloth and use it as an excuse to push the boundaries and fuel our want for more and better?

I think it is interesting to consider that in some fashion is something beyond necessity, it is considered irrelevant and over the top and frowned upon by those who don’t share a passion for it. But what makes it different from a hobby such as climbing or shooting? It can be used for the better, advertising important campaigns such as those used to raise money for refugees. Is it the influence it can have on people on the status and thus potentially create bullying? Is it because it can cause financial instability if it becomes an obsession? Or is the fact that it poses such a threat to our environment and the overall impact it has on our world?

Source used: https://www.environmentalscience.org/sustainability

Statement of intent: Total of 500-1000 words

Things to consider:

• What am I doing my research on? Why? How? 75-100
• Reflection on processes – images, photography, surveys etc
• Reflection on research – journals, books, websites, articles
• Description of FMP – successful aims and outcomes
• Reflection on what I hope to gain from the FMP. What will I do to get there?
• A summary must include a Gantt Chart, what research I am carrying forward

 

Key dates for FMP
Formative submission date: Feb 26th and March 6th
Final tutorial: 7th May