Abstract
This paper discloses a personal point of view on the theme of identity and the sense of belonging as experienced by an expatriate living in Japan. This viewpoint was the main idea underlying the exhibition Black/Blank. By defining the context and general concept of the show, the study aims to illustrate how the idea of ambiguity was expressed through photomontage and caption design. The latter’s visual design process consisted of using Japanese character (kanji) etymology as a tool to develop an ephemeral visual language. Indeed, language plays a central role in this unclear, vague sense of self-belonging; the boxed-shape captions embody words/ideas with a strange intertwining of Japanese language etymology mixed with personal visual interpretation. Hence, the audience will discover the process of a word/idea kanji etymology turning into a plethora of visual design iterations, from which one becomes the abstract representative of a specific word/idea on the caption’s facade. The main implications of this unique creative approach is that it can be learned for cultural, historical and visual reasons but its roots in the representation of language make it possible to be employed in any type of design and art process and output. With this kind of cross-cultural linguistic creative unfolding, any western visual design artist could learn a new approach to creativity, which could in turn lead to new curricula possibilities and perhaps enhance visual/art design education.
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Sense of belonging, Visual Design Exhibition, Creative Process, Japanese Characters
