Fine Arts Commons^™

How To Forget, Jesse D. Hoyle

Theses and Dissertations

How To Forget was born from a need to give tangible form to the psychic residue left behind by a life lived. Through the use of silk-screening of red clay mud onto ink-jet photographs, archival textiles, and site-specific installations, I attempt to tie and/or divorce myself from my own and my family's extended history and examine the function of memory within the dynamics of the archive. How To Forget takes a non-linear, non-chronological approach to this examination, compressing decades of time and space through the manipulation of the archive and my own self-portraiture, designed specifically to deny myself from its …

Ask The Duke, Why: How Fabrications Can Undermine Impact In Shakespeare’S Measure For Measure, Spencer D. Hansen

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The following document recounts the observations and consequences that result from my attempts at justifying the actions of Duke Vincentio in Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure. By following my experience through the duration of West Virginia University’s 2023 production of Measure for Measure, I examine the ramifications of justifying the Duke’s actions and the potentially harmful consequences such justifications could create with regard to the play’s reception. Additionally, this text outlines performance techniques, audience responses, rehearsal strategies, and progressive interpretations for one of Shakespeare’s most challenging characters in one of his most divisive plays.

Points Of Contact, Giancarlo Venturini

Theses and Dissertations

The work in Points of Contact arises from engaging love as it relates to distance, desire, and longing. This paper will analyze my painting practice and its evolution from the explicit to implicit. Specifically I am going to talk about my utilization of landscape painting to consider another way of expressing sexuality and queerness. I will explain how objects and landscapes are conduits for feelings that can intrinsically hold allegorical representations. This show is about searching through vast spaces to find points of connection in the natural world. I will talk about portals and the varied degrees of accessible windows …

Preexisting Conditionings: Painting, Gaming And Narrative Play, Pia Bakala

Theses and Dissertations

My work incorporates play, fantasy, and self-actualization through painting, sculpture, and video. In this essay, I will explore the ways in which my studio practice intersects with topics across fields of visual arts and in conjunction their theoretical frameworks. I will discuss the culminating body of work, tentatively titled Preexisting Conditionings, that my academic experience at VCU has fostered and trace its development across specific precursive works, as well as the cultural and intellectual touchstones influencing its creative impetus. In Preexisting Conditionings, I work primarily use oil painting, creating mostly representational figurative tableaus that correspond to narratives and characters I’m …

The Unconscious Mind: Psychoanalysis And Art, Carlie Hoffer

MA Theses

The insights brought to society about the unconscious mind can be solely credited to Sigmund Freud’s groundbreaking works that were published in the early 1900’s. Specifically, the concept of the unconscious mind being a driver for human behavior was a unique theory that Freud introduced to a society that had never considered this possibility before this. The realization and acknowledgement of the unconscious mind as relevant to analyzing human behavior including art inspired other scholars and individuals in the field of psychology to explore a more nuanced understanding of human motivations. His novel ideas about human behavior emerged at a …

Call For Me When You Get There: I'Ll Be Among The Crows, Jessica O. Tifase

Theses and Dissertations

I've always been intrigued by the ways in which the notion of flight has been used to describe the movement of Black people, both literally and figuratively. In many instances, flight performs as a double entendre, embodying multiple meanings: to escape or to transcend. The fluidity of its definition prompts a reflection I’ve been wrestling with as I move through the world: Are Black people in a perpetual state of flight?

In my thesis exhibition, Call for Me When You Get There, I use the precarious state of flight as a means to explore the complicated choreography necessary for navigating …

Envisioning Dynamic Cultural Platforms: Strategic Integration Of Contemporary Art In Japan's Socio-Economic Landscape, Shota Hachisako

MA Theses

In this tale of transformative potential, the dissertation opens with Japan's unique juxtaposition of a burgeoning technological landscape against a modestly-sized art market. It envisions contemporary art as a dynamic force, capable of revolutionizing Japan's socio-economic fabric. This narrative of hope delves into how art, in Japan's context, can redefine corporate identities, fuel social innovation, and adapt to the digital age. The study advocates for an increased investment in the creative arts, seeing it as a key to merging Japan's rich cultural heritage with its economic aspirations. It paints a future where art not only enhances educational growth and international …

Expect: A Speculative Documentary Filmed In Vr Utilizing The Role-Playing Method To Explore Disabilities And Ableism In Science Fiction, Leilei Xia

Theses and Dissertations

Expect is a speculative documentary filmed in Virtual Reality (VR) that features Chinese actors with disabilities to explore, challenge and reimagine the conventional ableist Sci-Fi tropes and the transhumanistic tendency to “fix” or eradicate disabilities through technological enhancement. I invited people with disabilities who are interested in Sci-Fi to do a Role-Playing with me in Virtual Reality (VR), in which they imagine themselves to be living in a future civilization, an alien planet, or an alternate universe. The participants came up with their own fictional characters and built their own world views. I interacted with them by asking questions and …

Cybernetic Hustle A Hard-Boiled Science Fiction Short Story, Eric Morris

Theses

In a world where body enhancement technology, or "cybernetics," should allow for exponential human progress, the gap between social classes is as wide as ever. A team of cybernetic bootleggers seek to even this playing field by providing low-cost implants to the working poor. Their operation becomes threatened when other underworld groups begin to raise police suspicions, but in this world, the cops may be more corrupt than the criminals. It is up to the team to expose the threat to their business, stay under the radar of the law, and risk their own futures in order to preserve their …

“We Are All Sort Of Figuring It Out Together”: A Case Study On How An Experiential Learning Course Shapes Career Readiness For Photography Students, Rebecca Reuland

Dissertations of Practice

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to understand how participation in an experiential learning course fosters career readiness for photography majors. Data was collected through observations, semi-structured interviews, and document analysis of course-assigned reflection papers. Using a conceptual framework of NACE’s (National Association of Colleges and Employers) career readiness competencies, this study investigated how the course structure and working with models and peers fostered career readiness. This study also explored how students described their career readiness. Overall, three findings surfaced from the data that showcased that experiential learning courses can: foster interpersonal communication skills, foster collaboration, and confidence …

Encapsulating Scars, Ashley Smith

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

My work explores scars through encapsulation, a desire to enclose and express the emotional scars of memories or physical scars of the body. Life’s experiences impact the living, leaving behind scars that we feel the need to understand. Through the mediums of metal and mixed-media photography, I utilize found and created imagery, as well as a triality of text in order to preserve and remember these scars.

"Where Did Your Christ Come From?", Kamara V. Townes

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This written document is the accompanying thesis for my Master of Fine Arts Exhibition, “WHERE DID YOUR CHRIST COME FROM?”, shown at Gallery 937 in downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (displayed April 5th-June 9th, 2024). Through painting, sculpture, and installation, I rely on an intuitive artmaking practice to create work that makes commentary on race, gender and identity. This thesis documents my research on contemporary influences, experimentation with materials and my point of view in conversation with intersectional feminism while navigating institutional racism.

Conceptually the work of my thesis is deeply influenced by womanism and Black culture, which informs my exploration …

The Impact Of Covid-19 On Dancers, Mackenzie Weakland

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

COVID-19 impacted every person who experienced it. Dancers in particular, were a group of people that were not able to participate in their art form in the way that they were always able to. This project explores how COVID-19 impacted dancers and their ability to learn and grow.

“How Did Guernica Become The Important Painting And The Universal Symbol It Is Today?", Or Lebel

MA Theses

This thesis explores the intriguing journey that propelled "Guernica" from the initial obscurity of a commissioned artwork to its current status as a globally recognized symbol. The research unravels the multifaceted processes that have contributed to the transformation of a relatively overlooked artwork into an important painting and a universal emblem of protest, antiwar, and hope. The research addresses the fundamental question of how "Guernica" evolved into an important and universally recognized painting. Answering this question allows me to explore and explain how "Guernica," despite its lack of immediate recognition, grew to possess an enduring significance. The research also tackles …

Evolution Of The Artist: The Impact Of A New Medium On Creative Expression, Isabel Y. Balladares

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This paper examines the impact of learning a new medium on artistic expression and creativity. By investigating art made during the learning process of ceramic art, I clarify the influence of initial learning stages in an art medium and their influence on creative thinking and motivation. I use two qualitative research strategies, a narrative analysis of the emotional and technical changes I experienced using clay and ceramic materials, and an examination of the art produced during this process. Data is collected through journal entries and photographs of art as I progress. This paper combines previous research in art education and …

Embody, Lillian Luna Bennett

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

In this paper I will discuss my studio process, material, content and context as it relates to each piece or installation in my thesis exhibition, Embody. My work explores and reacts to the effects that the current political climate has on our physical bodies and identity. I investigate value systems that are embedded into America’s visual language. Often morphing into ruins and relics of an old world while simultaneously being grafted onto contemporary culture. Through large scale textile sculpture, I explore one of my main themes: melding classical architectural motifs that America has adopted, with contemporary textile techniques and material …

Three Stories On Urban Wildlife, Kevin J. Moriarty

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

No abstract provided.

Sweetbriar: I Wound To Heal, Megan Foster

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

This work questions the societal disconnect between the readiness of human emotion and the restraint with which we discuss it. As the well-to-do ladies of the Victorian era would gather flowers to create tussie-mussies and nosegays to adorn themselves and send messages, the pieces of the MFA thesis exhibition Sweetbriar: I Wound to Heal divulge intense realities through the palatability and presentability of a flower’s beauty. The flowers in this work (as with Victorian Flower Language) act as signifiers for greater emotional concepts. Harebells for grief. Peonies for shame. Gorse for anger. Each flower/emotion in this exhibition is connected directly …

Bloom: A Microbial Self-Portrait, Emily Lauren Mulvaney

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

No abstract provided.

Curatorial Practice Project Of Traditional Chinese Opera Exhibition: Modern Shandong Bangzi Opera In Qufu, Jing Yang

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Shandong Bangzi Opera, a traditional Chinese opera originating from the Shandong region, has received significant attention for its preservation and development in Qufu, the birthplace of Confucian culture. This art form is characterized by its passionate singing, bold performance style, and authentic Southwest Lu dialect. It reflects the character and social life of the Southwest Lu people, and demonstrates the profound influence of Confucian culture on local society and interpersonal relationships. Despite challenges such as an aging audience and limited transmission methods, Shandong Bangzi Opera is being revitalized through innovative practices, including multimedia technology and modern stage techniques. This study …

Curatorial Practice Project For Art Exhibition: Chinese Intangible Cultural Heritage Of Shaanxi Paper-Cut, "Blossom", Xiaonan Zhou

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This indepentdent study explores the protection, inheritance, and innovation of traditional skills through curatorial practice, using the "Blossom" exhibition of Shaanxi paper-cutting art, an intangible cultural heritage of Shaanxi Province, China, as its research object. Through literature analysis and case comparison, the study systematically organizes the historical origins, regional characteristics, and inheritance status of Chinese paper-cutting art, with a specific focus on the bold artistic style and cultural connotations of Shaanxi paper-cutting. Drawing on examples like the "Blooming on Paper" European Paper-cutting Exhibition and the Sixth Yunnan Paper-cutting Art Exhibition, the study proposes that curatorial practice should balance historical inheritance …

Curatorial Practice Project For Education Program: Analog Expression – Emotional Language Through Camera-Less Photography, Swita Uancharoenkul

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This independent study examines curatorial practice in developing educational programs that utilize camera-less photography as a medium for emotional expression. Building upon the theoretical framework of light as both physical phenomenon and metaphorical concept, this research investigates how photograms and cyanotypes function as accessible tools for translating emotional states into visual language through hands-on workshops.The study focuses on analog photographic processes that emphasize direct physical engagement with light-sensitive materials. Unlike digital photography's emphasis on precision and control, analog processes embrace materiality, unpredictability, and temporal engagement, creating opportunities for contemplative practice and authentic emotional expression while requiring minimal technical expertise.Through collaborative …

Curatorial Practice Research: Multi-Sensory Art Exhibitions For Children With Special Needs With New Perspectives In Inclusive Curatorial Practices, Zixin Huang

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This study explores how multisensory exhibition design can promote inclusion and participation for neurodiverse children, particularly those on the autism spectrum, within art spaces. It focuses on two representative case studies from Australia, namely the Children's Program of the Asia Pacific Triennial and the curatorial practices of Erica Tandori. The research analyzes how sensory elements such as touch, sound, smell, and spatial arrangement can enhance accessibility and interaction in exhibition environments. Building on this analysis, the study proposes a conceptual exhibition layout model that emphasizes participatory interaction, emotional support, and sensory exploration. Informed by literature review and public survey findings, …

Curatorial Practice Project For Art Exhibition: Using Curatorial Spatial Narrative In The Fifth Changchun International Snow And Ice Sculpture Exhibition, Ruimiao Yu

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This study explores the application of curatorial spatial narrative in the 5th Changchun International Ice Sculpture Exhibition. The exhibition is not merely an artistic presentation but a curatorial practice that deepens audience immersion and environmental awareness through spatial narrative. It uniquely combines ephemeral ice sculptures with permanent sculptures in the Changchun World Sculpture Park, enhancing the dialogue between time and material.Through literature reviews, case comparisons, and spatial analyses, the study contrasts international and Chinese domestic cases such as Harbin Ice and Snow World and the World Ice Sculpture Championship, highlighting the uniqueness of curatorial spatial narratives. This research positions curators …

Exploring The Efficacy Of Expressive Arts Therapy For Promoting Emotional Expression In Adolescents With Psychosomatic Symptoms: A Scoping Review, Lalida Therakomen

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Adolescents often experience emotional challenges that can manifest as psychosomatic symptoms, a condition linked to emotional suppression and alexithymia. While evidence supports the use of art therapy, the specific application of expressive arts therapy (EAT) for psychosomatic symptoms in this population remains under-researched, particularly in Eastern cultural contexts. This scoping review was conducted to explore the efficacy of EAT in promoting emotional expression in adolescents with psychosomatic symptoms. A systematic search of four databases, guided by PRISMA guidelines, identified 15 studies for synthesis, including five Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs). Findings consistently reported that interventions improved emotional expression, reduced psychosomatic symptoms …

Curatorial Practice Project For Fashion Design Exhibition: A Comparative Study Of Visual Communication And Audience Experience Of Mo&Co. And Vinn Patararin, Dongliang Liao

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This study investigates how visual communication strategies in fashion exhibitions construct brand identity and mediate audience experience across cultural and digital contexts. Drawing on an integrated theoretical framework, including Hall's encoding/decoding model, Bhabha's theory of cultural translation, and Falk and Dierking's contextual model of learning, the research conceptualizes curators as cultural translators who shape meaning through spatial design, visual symbolism, and platform-sensitive narratives.A comparative case study of MO&Co. Guangzhou-based and VINN PATARARIN Bangkok-based was selected to represent divergent curatorial approaches and cultural positions: MO&Co. leverages Guochao aesthetics, feminist symbolism, and theatrical scenography to appeal to urban Chinese youth on platforms …

Curatorial Practice Project For Art Exhibition: “Where Are We Landing”, Phiraya Ardwichai

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Over the past several decades, exhibitions concerning Southeast Asia have tended to operate within a geopolitical framework that emphasizes historical narratives shaped by colonial processes. Within this curatorial paradigm, the human subject is often positioned at the center of meaning-making and perception, reinforcing the dominance of the nation-state as the primary unit of power. At the same time, such frameworks tend to marginalize ecological concerns, particularly the complex interrelations between humans and more-than-human entities. This research critically examines prevailing curatorial practices within this context, investigates the impact of green imperialism in the region, and proposes an alternative curatorial approach through …

Curatorial Practice Project For Art Exhibition: From Patronage To Empowerment - Konfir Kabo's Non-Utilitarian Collecting And The Empowerment Of Indonesian Women Artists, Qiming Zheng

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This study investigates the social impact of non-utilitarian art collecting practices on the empowerment of Indonesian women artists. By examining the collection of Indonesian non-utilitarian collector Konfir Kabo and curating the exhibition Bodies in Balance, it analyzes how non-putilitarian art collecting can serve as a mechanism for feminist empowerment. The research argues that collection practices oriented toward non-commercial values offer effective means to address the structural imbalances faced by Indonesian women artists within both art history and the art market. By foregrounding works by Indonesian women artists—whose voices have long been marginalized in contemporary Southeast Asian art discourse—the curatorial practice …

Exploring The Efficacy Of Expressive Arts Therapy In Enhancing Emotional Regulation Among Adults Of Authoritarian Caregivers: A Scoping Review, Kevin Suwan

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This scoping review synthesizes a decade of research on the role of Expressive Arts Therapy (EAT) in enhancing emotional regulation among adults raised by authoritarian caregivers. Guided by Arksey and O’Malley’s five-stage framework with the PRISMA-ScR reporting checklist, 43 peer-reviewed studies were identified across five electronic databases. The findings demonstrate that EAT, across five modalities (visual art, creative writing, music, dance/movement, and clay work), consistently fosters emotional awareness, strengthens distress tolerance, and supports the adaptive regulation of emotions. Multimodal and body-based approaches were especially effective for individuals whose early environments suppressed emotional expression. The review highlights EAT’s potential as a …

Reducing Exhaustion And Reduced Personal Efficacy In Office Workers: The Impact Of Art Therapy, Natnicha Prachakittikul

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This study investigated the psychological effects of a one-day clay-based art therapy workshop on Thai office workers experiencing emotional exhaustion and reduced personal efficacy. The research aimed to assess the outcomes of the intervention in three key areas: emotional release, rediscovery of inner strengths, and reframed perspectives.A total of 30 participants were purposively selected from a Bangkok-based organization and assigned to either an art therapy group, which received the art therapy intervention, or a control group with no intervention. After accounting for withdrawals, the final sample included 27 participants. Data were collected through pre- and post-session open-ended questions and reflective …