Abstract
Life itself is suffering. Suffering is caused by desire. Because desire can cause humans to become obsessed and embittered, it has been considered one of the causes of woe for mankind. Starting with our first cries as newborn babies, desires and cravings are increasingly embedded in our growth. People are often trapped by their desire for something they do not have or by regret for something they have lost. With the increase in negative emotions and desires, people are gradually losing their true happiness. During our short and changing lives, many people prefer to dwell on the past or long for the future rather than enjoying the present moment. In fact, neither the past nor future exist objectively. The past exists only in people’s consciousness, as it is gone, finished and unalterable. The future is unpredictable, which is only as an illusion. I believe life consists of thousands of present moments and happiness can be attained only if people concentrate on the time being.
I created a series of wearable sculptures to demonstrate the process of transformation which is a feeling of coming out of the past. In order to indicate my concept, many organic shapes and dynamic lines were utilized in sculpting my work. The goal of my thesis show was to present the ‘becoming’ process—from past to present. It is meant to awaken people to the possibility of regaining the primitive simplicity of happiness even in such a complex environment. The overall atmosphere of all the works in the exhibition strives for a calm stillness, and each piece of my work shows an invisible movement of growth.
Library of Congress Subject Headings
Artist-designed jewelry--Themes, motives; Artist-designed jewelry--Technique; Art metal-work--Themes, motives; Art metal-work--Technique; Mindfulness (Psychology)
Publication Date
4-28-2018
Document Type
Thesis
Student Type
Graduate
Degree Name
Metals and Jewelry Design (MFA)
Department, Program, or Center
School for American Crafts (CAD)
Advisor
Leonard Urso
Advisor/Committee Member
Juan Carlos Caballero-Perez
Advisor/Committee Member
Alan Singer
Recommended Citation
Zhao, Danlin, "Becoming" (2018). Thesis. Rochester Institute of Technology. Accessed from
https://repository.rit.edu/theses/9847
Campus
RIT – Main Campus
Plan Codes
METAL-MFA