Sustainability.
“Business sustainability is a strategy that prioritizes survival of a business and connected ecological, social and cultural systems. Business sustainability is a business principle that is widely recognized as a critical strategic concern for governments and organizations.”(Mar 2013).
I was interested at looking into how sustainable a business can be when it is based off of a dangerous product.
When talking to a family member (White, 2021) about sustainability she brought up the issue that the business owners have a social responsibility to maintain their workers’ jobs- especially since most tobacco is farmed in third world countries where they rely on the income from the farming.
Relating to one of the three pillars of sustainability is social progress. With less people smoking traditional cigarettes and more people turning to e-cigarettes – creating an alternative to cigarettes may be one way to sustain your business. However, Morris (Srsen, 2017) stated “face it – these days, absolutely everyone knows that smoking will kill you” including a response to e-cigarettes. Indicating that even e-cigarettes are not sustainable.
More people are becoming concerned about pollution and global warming- of which is accelerated by the production of cigarettes along with the smoking of them. Healthline Media (2020) states that “the air pollution emitted by cigarettes is 10 times greater than diesel car exhaust”- proving that cigarettes have a large impact on the sustainability of the environment.
Identity.
Studying product design, I felt that it was important for me to look at specific products that have a solid “identity”. Therefore, I decided to explore “Chanel No.5” – most commonly known for being the product associated with Marilyn Monroe.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wSdVLLZrSI
Source: evidancenews3 (2013)
The famous interview above Marilyn states that she wears “Chanel No. 5…I don’t want to say nude… but it’s the truth.” in a 1952 interview (Banks, 2013) the ad campaign including Marilynn wasn’t released until 2012.
But how does this affect Marilyn’s identity even after her death?
Marilyn was so much more than a pretty face and a woman that slept only in Chanel No.5. Marilyn was political, influential and extremely unique within her time. She could influence both the media and politicians.
After Marilyn’s death she had no control on how her identity was perceived. Marilyn was not only a nude woman or a sexual object. That is not her whole identity. However, this is what the media perceived her as and this is how she will be remembered- even if that is not what she wanted.
Innovation.
WONDERLAND- The disappearing dresses.
Innovation is a new idea or method, or the use of new ideas and methods.
This piece – created by Professor Ryan and Helen Storey – uses a new innovative idea to start a conversation about climate change. Storey talks about using a different approach to keep people in connection to the problems in the world. She wants to open a pathway for people to talk about difficult things such as climate change.
Storey has found a way to combine science, fashion, textiles and sculpture all in to one – with the help of Trish Belford- a textiles expert- to create a performance piece on excess packaging and waste.
Trish and Storey try to show how plastics are precious through their dresses being destroyed and left as waste in the water they dissolve in. This project shows how art, science and technology can all band together to innovate, something to provoke the audience and start a bigger conversation, about climate change, about waste and about recycling.
Communication.
Communication is the imparting or exchanging of information by speaking, writing, or using some other medium or the means of sending or receiving information, such as phone lines or computers.
I was intrigued by this colour palette as it shows up in many logos that are aimed at children such as LEGO, SMYTHS toys, Pizza Hut and Chupa Chupps. Many of these brands are aimed at children.
These colours are said to provoke their consumers in an attempt to influence them into buying their product or service. Sharma (2019) red is a colour that is said to influence the consumer into feeling hungry and yellow influences the consumer to feel joy. Hand in hand these colours can subconsciously communicate with the consumer making them feel happiness and hunger- in turn leading them to want to buy the product.
I personally think this logo is a perfect example of how colours can be used to communicate and provoke the consumer.
Logo Design “Zappz Electrical”.
For this project I wanted to create a logo for an electrical company I felt it would be best to create a colourful, unique logo.
Gender.
Sarah Silkin’s “Bodysuits” (2018)
In the video above Silkin’s exhibition is shown to depict many different body forms with unique linings. I felt this was a brilliant analogy for gender as although it is often depicted as what is on the outside and what genitalia we have it is much more.
As gender s continuously studied through art and other media, we discover that gender is specific to each individual- a spectrum.
Silkin depicts the beauty of the gender spectrum and the uniqueness of each body. She also allows her “bodysuits” to be tried on by some of her audience- appearing as a different sex or gender. I feel that this is a strange yet special par of Silkin’s work- trying on any gender, any skin.
Silkin’s work on gender and identity within her “Bodysuits” exhibition is provocative and a conversation starter which is what I admire most about her work.
Place.
Place is defined as ; a particular position, point, or area in space; a location: “I can’t be in two places at once” synonyms location, site, spot, scene, setting, or a portion of space designated or available for or being used by someone.
“Wrapped Reichstag” (1995) Christo and Jeanne Claude.
Above is a collaboration between Jeanne Claude and Christo. Both artists planned this collaboration many years before the actual construction of the piece- this is why the place was key.
Lee (2020) described this piece as “Free Joy” which I feel really highlights how the placement was key to the people of Berlin. It was accessible to all and the building used was so recognizable that even through being concealed and covered up it was actually seen by so many more people.
A place that was once destroyed by war only really became seen after being covered up- which is almost ironic, but also beautiful- I feel this really shows the impact art can have on a place and on people.
Both Jeanne Claude and Christo managed to make a place once associated with hate and war actually unite people. As shown in the image above the building had many visitors- all in awe of their work.
Bibliography.
Anna Mar (2013) What is business sustainability?, Available at: https://business.simplicable.com (Accessed: 25/01/2021).
Banks. L refinery29 (2013) Marilyn Monroe Finally Becomes The Face Of Her Favourite Perfume. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2013/10/55609/marilyn-monroe-chanel-no-5-perfume-advert. (Accessed 01/02/21).
CHANEL. (2012). Marilyn and N°5 – Inside CHANEL. [Online Video]. 16 November 2012. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wo8UtWiYiZI. (Accessed: 01/02/21).
David Lee (2020) Free Joy: Christo’s Art of Perseverance and Persuasion, Available at: artreview.com (Accessed: 03/03/21).
evidancenews3 (2013). Marilyn Munroe in new advert for classic perfume Chanel No 5. [Online Video]. 5 November 2013. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wSdVLLZrSI. (Accessed: 01/02/21).
Healthline Media (2020) Medical News Today, Available at: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com (Accessed: 25/01/21).
Ivan Srsen (2017) Marlboro Vape – IQOS Is Philip Morris’ Response to E-Cigarettes, Available at: https://ecigarettereviewed.com (Accessed: 25/01/21).
London College of Fashion (2015) Dress For Our Time: In conversation with Helen Storey and Michael Saunby, Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=co8fl17Ykv0 (Accessed: 08/02/21).
Siobhan White (2021) Personal Reference- Business Sustainability Expert
Trish Belford, TB, Helen Storey, PHS & Tony Ryan, PTR, WONDERLAND: Plastics is Precious: The disappearing dresses (2008) Artefact, Ormeau Baths Gallery, Belfast, Northern Ireland (Accessed: 08/02/21).
Vibhav Sharma (2019) This Is The Reason Why All The Fast Food Chains Have Red And Yellow Logo, Available at: www.viralbake.com (Accessed: 23/02/21).