Concept | Bza¶
Bza, which means "language" in Circassian, is my journey of discovering the meanings of Circassain motifs. Then using this vocabulary to write the stories of our past, present, and future on three pairs of sleeves, each made using different materials and fabrication techniques.
3 Stories¶
The stories of the past (yesterday), present (today), and the future (tomorrow) are written with Circassian motifs. Materials and fabrication techniques must add to the narrative and be an integral part of the story.
Yesterday: Land¶
The motifs tells the story of a woman standing in the middle with her hands reaching down to the land. The sun is shining above her head and flowers are growing below her feet. She has the fire of life burning in her soul.
This sleeve is crocheted by my mom and aunt using white and golden cotton threads. The golden color was obtained by dyeing the threads with onion skin.
Today: Genocide¶
The design shows pieces of land connected together and then being torn apart with people continuing through life carrying their value and fire.
The Circassian genocide lasted 101 years and ended with the Circassians being torn away from their lands. The land pieces are modular pieces that show motifs of land (rhomboid), sun and moon (cirlce), and nature (flowers). The motifs representing people are 3D printed on 2-way stretch tulle.
Tomorrow: Values¶
Even though we continues to grow apart, our shared values will always connect us. "Adigagha" is the Circassian word for values and it translates to "Circassian (Adiga) spirit".
The sleeve is cut using the laser cutter then embellished with copper fabric and handstitched silver threads. An LED light shines through the soul of people when the tilt switch touches the golden values.
Color Theme¶
I used white (hope), black (melancholy, unknown), and gold (sacred) as the color theme for the project. Each sleeve will have a combination of two colors:
White with gold for yesterday to symbolize the sacred realtionship between human and the land that gives us hope of growth and life.
Black with white for "today to show the melancholy of losing the land and the hope the people still carry on.
Black with gold and some white for tomorrow to celebrate the sacred values that connect people and the hope that shines through their souls while they face the unknown future.
Storyboard¶
Storytelling presentation