Your research task this week is to map out a range of design concepts and theories that might help underpin the academic rigour of your outcome.
Who are the key thinkers that are relevant to the subject area that you are exploring?
My research this week has focused on three key areas: John Berger’s Ways of Seeing, the Guerrilla Girls, and advertising inspired by famous paintings. Each has contributed to shaping both the concept and design of my exhibition.
John Berger – Ways of Seeing
Berger’s work has encouraged me to move beyond looking for hard facts such as finances or the identities of the women in the paintings. Instead, his approach emphasizes exploring the possible stories and interpretations that exist within imagery. This has been particularly influential for my exhibition, allowing me to focus on the emotional and narrative arc of the women depicted, rather than just historical details. As Berger states, “Seeing comes before words. The child looks and recognizes before it can speak.”
Guerrilla Girls
The Guerrilla Girls have inspired my aim to make invisible voices visible. Their critique of inequality in the art world aligns directly with my exhibition’s theme, highlighting women who were seen, used, punished, idealized, and erased. Their work has also influenced the central question of my exhibition: “Who gets to be remembered?” This statement will be placed at the forefront of the exhibition, framing the visitor’s experience.
Advertising Inspired by Famous Painters
Research into brands appropriating famous artwork for marketing purposes has informed the promotional aspect of my project. By examining how historical imagery can be repurposed to create cultural and emotional resonance, I can apply similar techniques to advertise the event. This ensures that the exhibition itself reaches audiences effectively while maintaining a strong conceptual link to the art it presents.
Together, these three sources underpin both the framework and practical design of my exhibition. Berger supports the narrative focus, the Guerrilla Girls emphasise visibility and critique, and advertising research informs how the event will be communicated to an audience.