Body Image, Word associations

This week, I went through my notes and decided to do a little word association thing. I wrote down on some note cards keywords about body image (i.e., plastic surgery, criticism, death, and power), emotions (i.e., shame, double, fear), wearables (i.e., timepieces, hat, shoes), and parts of the body (i.e., back, head, foot). Then, I grouped them into piles that seemed to make sense. When something seemed missing, I just wrote a new card and added it. My groups are below. Following this, a group from our Wearables class went to Material Connexion and we saw a lot of really nice textiles, rubbers, metals, and other stuff that I’m not really sure how to categorize. I took some pictures of stuff I liked, also below.

The Material Connexion visit was really helpful. I liked the knobby fabrics and materials, and came away with some thoughts about emphasizing our flaws vs hiding them. Maybe I’ll make some pants that make music when your thighs rub together. Or a hump that talks to you. In any case, it’s about time I face my P-comp fears and start to prototype! (Oh, my!)

Group 1:
Criticism
Power
Back (body)
Shame
Control
Perspective
Spectator

Group 2:
Image
Memory
Reflection
Hope
Death
Happiness
God
Inward
Self
Head (body)

Group 3:
Doubt
Fear
Fat
Diet
Exercise
Anorexia
Silhouette (body)
Passive/passiveness
Mirrors
Thin

Group 4:
Desire
Nudity
Envy
Ballet
Perfection
Media
“Ideal Body”
Hips (body)
Breasts (body)
Butt (body)
Waist (body)

Group 5:
Legs (body)
Neck (body)
Sexy
Beauty
Attitude
Confidence/confident

Group 6:
Adornment
Jewelry
Pride
Skin (body)
Face (body)
Costume
Cosmetics
Bleach
Gaze
Plastic Surgery
Bust (body)