Research
During the course of my studies in the National college of Art and Design I undertook multiple research based essays and writings. Below are a selection of works on topics that I felt especially compelled to research.
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Undergraduate Thesis
' Do parafictioners give enough regard to basic morals / ethical behaviour?'
In 1978 Sissela Bok said that trust is a social good to be protected just as much as the air that we breathe or the water that we drink. This was clearly a call for a return to honesty in both personal and political communication which many would argue is absolutely needed in today’s society where it has become almost impossible to tell genuinity from fakeness. There are undoubtedly individuals who play on this fact, and use it to their advantage, whether that be from an art or personal standpoint. It is clear that within all of my examples, there was a severe lack of ethical behaviour present. This fascination with deceiving others is something that has continued to flourish throughout history, and is showing no sign of stopping in the twenty-first century. The worldwide acceptance that lies are now just a part of life, whether or not they are classed as parafictions, is something that desperately needs to be challenged.
Curriculum Essay
' An examination into the Lack of Sexual Education in Russia'
The absence of a comprehensive sex education in the Russian curriculum has undoubtedly yielded socially destructive consequences, as evidenced by the alarming rate in hate crimes against the LGBTQ+ community, the escalating AIDS epidemic and the persistently high rates of abortion. Failure to address issues relating to sexual health and identity within the education system perpetuates stigma, fosters ignorance and ultimately compromises the overall well-being of society. It limits young people’s ability to make informed decisions, potentially perpetuating a cycle of ignorance through generations to come. The socially destructive impact of the inadequate sex education in Russia highlights the urgent need for curriculum reform to enable a more informed, tolerant, empowered and healthy society. The urgency of addressing this educational gap cannot be overstated, as it is integral to shaping a future where tolerance, awareness, and socially responsible behaviour prevail, steering society away from the destructive repercussions currently unfolding.
Gender Crossings
'There is nothing new or radical about crossdressing'
Life in the twenty-first century is weird. An unstable relationship seems to have formed between fact and fiction meaning fabricated information, which in many instances, gives little to no regard towards our perceived logic or fact, has become widely accepted as true. The profound shift in contemporary culture happening around us every day is highlighted by this relationship and it has brought to light the exceptional artistic creativity of today. People will be offended by, and even upset, by things which they do not understand or cannot fully grasp. This sensitivity to offence is not a new phenomenon. Is that a man in a dress or is that lady just very tall with big hands? A simple question, yet probably one we have all asked ourselves before. It makes some of us uncomfortable, to not fully know. But perhaps that is the ultimate goal of crossdressing – to make someone, maybe the individual dressing or a spectator, anyone, feel something.