An mm affiliate! work in conversation and dialogue with the Material Matters team - individual projects and material explorations conducted in our labs.

Wuchen Zhang (Author)

Emily Carr University of Art + Design Graduate Studies (Degree Granting Institution)

Hélène Day Fraser (Thesis Supervisor)

Taoism, Cultural appropriation, Discursive works, Intuition

Daoism, Zi Ran, Transcultural identity, Identity recognition, Thin-slicing, Discursive design, Ontological design

Abstract: We all experience various changes and uncertainties in our lives in both positive and negative ways. This thesis validates different fields of study, interests and lived experience. The Chinese Daoist concept of Zi Ran, a transcultural identity, and an interest in Japanese culture, inform a series of design actions that apply embodied practices of observation, making and performance. This mix of design actions, informed by a particular lived experience, are used to consider western discursive and ontological design theory as well as ArturoEscobar’s call for a pluriverse of design. The Communication Studies term thin-slicing is developed in relation to time and as a means to sort through and validate how past and present personal experiences inform the intuitive actions of a designer. Means for transcultural identity and different cultural perspectives to be applied to approaches and concerns in the design field are explored. This body of work upholds the uniqueness of life experiences as a key contributor to designers and their designs/design(ing). Overall, the intent is to share and validate what others of different experience and non western backgrounds have to offer.

Link to thesis