University of Southern California Dissertations and Theses

Family legacy and the evolution of contemporary Chinese youth

(USC Thesis Other)

Family legacy and the evolution of contemporary Chinese youth

PDF

Download a page range

Download transcript

Copy asset link

Request this asset

Transcript (if available)

Content F A M I L Y L E G A C Y A N D T H E E V O L U T I O N O F
C O N T E M P O R A R Y C H I N E S E Y O U T H
b y
Ha nxi W e i
A T he si s Pre se nt e d t o t he
FAC UL T Y OF T HE USC R OSKI SC HOOL OF AR T AND DE SIGN
UNIVE R SIT Y OF SOUT HE R N C A L I F O R N I A
In Pa rt i a l Ful fi l l m e nt of t he
Requirements for the Degree
MASTER OF FINE ARTS
(DESIGN)
M a y 2 0 2 3
C o p y r i g h t 2 0 2 3 H a n x i W e i
i i
A c know l e dge m e nt s
I w oul d l i ke t o de di c a t e t hi s pa pe r t o t hos e w ho s t r i ve t o i m pr ove r e l a t i ons hi ps w i t hi n
f a m i l i e s . T he y m a y be pe opl e w ho a r e f a c i ng f a m i l y r e l a t i ons hi p pr obl e m s , or t hos e w ho a l r e a dy
ha ve good f a m i l y r e l a t i ons hi ps , but t he y s ha r e t he s a m e de s i r e t o pr om ot e f a m i l y r e l a t i ons hi p
ba l a nc e .
F a m i l y i s one of t he m os t i m por t a nt pa r t s of our l i ve s . I t not onl y a f f e c t s our qua l i t y of
l i f e , but a l s o our phys i c a l a nd m e nt a l he a l t h, a s w e l l a s our gr ow t h a nd de ve l opm e nt . H ow e ve r ,
une qua l pow e r dyna m i c s w i t hi n f a m i l y r e l a t i ons hi ps c a n be a pe r va s i ve i s s ue , of t e n s t e m m i ng
f r om t r a di t i ona l va l ue s or m ode r n s oc i e t a l pr e s s ur e s . I t i s a c onf l i c t be t w e e n t r a di t i ona l C hi ne s e
C onf uc i a ns f a m i l i a l m or a l a nd m ode r n a dol e s c e nt s ’ phys i c a l a nd m e nt a l de m a ndi ng of f a m i l y. I t
i s e s s e nt i a l t ha t w e t a ke pr oa c t i ve s t e ps t o a ddr e s s a nd r e c t i f y t he s e pow e r i m ba l a nc e s ,
pa r t i c ul a r l y be t w e e n c hi l dr e n a nd t he i r pa r e nt s .
T he r e f or e , I w oul d l i ke t o c a l l on a l l f a m i l y m e m be r s t o r e s pe c t e a c h ot he r , c om m uni c a t e
e qua l l y, c ol l a bor a t e t oge t he r , a nd w or k t ow a r ds a c hi e vi ng ba l a nc e d f a m i l y r e l a t i ons hi ps . M a y
our e f f or t s br i ng ha r m ony a nd ha ppi ne s s t o m or e f a m i l i e s !
F i na l l y, I w oul d l i ke t o e xpr e s s m y he a r t f e l t gr a t i t ude t o m y f a m i l y, m y a dvi s or , a nd m y
f r i e nds , f or t he i r s uppor t a nd e nc our a ge m e nt t hr oughout m y r e s e a r c h, w hi c h e na bl e d m e t o
c om pl e t e t hi s pa pe r s m oot hl y.
i i i
T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S
A c know l e dge m e nt s ........................................................................................................................... i i
L i s t of F i gur e s ................................................................................................................................... i v
A bs t r a c t .............................................................................................................................................. v
C h a p t e r 1 : C u l t u r a l D i f f e r e n c e s a n d I n s p i r a t i o n o f t h e D e s i g n ........................................................... 1
C h a p t e r 2 : T h e I n f l u e n c e o f C o n f u c i a n i s m o n t h e O l d e r G e n e r a t i o n s o f C h i n e s e F a m i l i e s ................ 5
C h a p t e r 3 : S e e k S e ns e of B e l ongi ng i n F a m i l y R e l a t i ons hi ps .......................................................... 9
C h a p t e r 4 : R e s pe c t a nd P r ot e c t A C hi l d' s N a t ur e ............................................................................ 14
C h a p t e r 5 : “ C om bi na t i on - B a l a nc e ” ............................................................................................... 24
C h a p t e r 6 : B r e a t hi ng i n T e xt i l e K ni t t i ng a nd F a m i l y R e l a t i ons hi ps ............................................... 34
C onc l us i on ....................................................................................................................................... 39
B i bl i ogr a phy .................................................................................................................................... 45
i v
L I S T O F F I G U R E S
F i g u r e 1 . G a s l i g h t - S a y N O t o D o m e s t i c V i o l e n c e V i d e o ................................................................ vi
F i g u r e 2 . D e e r E m br oi de r e d S m a l l G uc c i M a r m ont V e l ve t S houl de r B a g B l ue ............................... 4
F i g u r e 3 . M y m o m i s d o i n g h e r e m b r o i d e r y p r o j e c t ......................................................................... 14
F i g u r e 4 . “ C r o s s e d D e s t i n i e s ” b y S u n C a n i n L o n d o n R o y a l C o l l e g e o f A r t .................................... 16
F i g u r e 5 . P r o c e s s o f s i l k m a k i n g .......................................................................................................20
F i gur e 6. “ S i l kw or m - M e t a m or phos i s ” P r oj e c t , R a w S i l k, D e t a i l ................................................... 21
F i g u r e 7 . " S i l k w o r m - M e t a m o r p h o s i s " P r o j e c t , R a w S i l k , F u l l ......................................................... 22
F i gur e 8. " S i l kw or m - M e t a m or phos i s " P r oj e c t , C ooke d s i l k a nd R a w s i l k .................................... 23
F i g u r e 9 . L a y e r D r a w i n g - L i g h t o f f o r e s t i n k j e t p r i n t o n f i l m , a c r y l i c p l a s t i c , 3 0 . 5 × 1 9 8 × 3 3 c m
( 3 0 s h e e t s ) , 2 0 1 4 ............................................................................................................................... 24
F i g u r e 1 0 . L a y e r D r a w i n g - C l o u d / F o g i n k j e t p r i n t o n f i l m , 1 0 0 × 1 0 0 c m ( 1 0 0 s h e e t s ) , 2 0 0 5 .......... 25
F i g u r e 1 1 . L a y e r D r a w i n g - L i g h t o f s u n r i s e 1 i n k j e t p r i n t o n f i l m , a c r y l i c p l a s t i c , 2 8 . 5 × 1 9 8 × 3 1 c m
( 3 0 s h e e t s ) , 2 0 1 2 ............................................................................................................................... 25
F i g u r e 1 2 . S h o w i n g r e f l e c t i o n s u n d e r d a y l i g h t ................................................................................. 26
F i g u r e 1 3 . P r o c e s s o f l a s e r c u t t i n g .................................................................................................... 27
F i g u r e 1 4 . F i n a l D e s i g n o f " C om bi na t i on- B a l a nc e " P r o j e c t ............................................................ 28
F i g u r e 1 5 . " B r e a t h i n g " T e x t i l e K n i t t i n g P r o j e c t ............................................................................... 37
F i g u r e 1 6 . " B r e a t h i n g " T e x t i l e K n i t t i n g P r o j e c t , R e d ....................................................................... 38
v
A b s t r a c t
D ur i ng t he C O V I D pa nde m i c , pe opl e w ho w e r e i s ol a t e d a t hom e s t a r t e d t o t hi nk m or e
a bout t he r e l a t i ons hi p a nd di s t a nc e be t w e e n e a c h ot he r . H ow t o ge t a l ong pr ope r l y w i t h t he i r
f a m i l y m e m be r s ha s be c om e a t opi c t ha t i s w or t h di s c us s i ng. A s a c hi l d s t udyi ng a l one f a r a w a y
f r om m y ow n f a m i l y, I e nc ount e r e d c ount l e s s m i s unde r s t a ndi ngs a nd unf a i r t r e a t m e nt s i n m y
c om m uni c a t i on w i t h m y pa r e nt s , w hi c h c a us e d gr e a t s t r e s s a nd di s t r e s s . I ha ve l e a r ne d I a m not
t he onl y pe r s on t o ha ve ha d t hi s e xpe r i e nc e . I n m a ny C hi ne s e f a m i l i e s , c hi l dr e n of t e n f i nd
t he m s e l ve s i n a vul ne r a bl e pos i t i on a nd a r e not t r e a t e d w i t h t he pr ope r c a r e a nd a t t e nt i on t he y
de s e r ve . T he i r f e e l i ngs a nd e m ot i ons a r e of t e n i gnor e d by t he i r pa r e nt s , a nd t he y a r e t r e a t e d a s
obj e c t s t o be s ha pe d a nd m ol de d by a dul t s , r a t he r t ha n a s i ndi vi dua l s w i t h t he i r ow n uni que
ne e ds a nd pe r s pe c t i ve s .
T o t a c kl e t hi s i s s ue , I pr i or i t i z e e nc our a gi ng e m ot i ona l e xpr e s s i on, br i ng f e e l i ngs t o t he
s ur f a c e , he l pi ng c hi l dr e n s pe a k up f or t he m s e l ve s , a nd e m pha s i z i ng e qua l i t y a nd f r e e dom i n t he
f a m i l y. T he s e e f f or t s a i m t o pr om pt r e f l e c t i on on pe opl e ’ s ow n r e l a t i ons hi ps a nd f os t e r s t r onge r
c onne c t i ons . G r ow i ng up i n a s t r i c t f a m i l y e nvi r onm e nt ha s t a ught m e t o be s ubt l e i n ha ndl i ng
c l os e r e l a t i ons hi ps . T hough w e a r e a l l s e pa r a t e a nd i nde pe nde nt i ndi vi dua l s i n t he f a m i l y, w e a r e
bound by bl ood t i e s , i nt e r t w i ne d a nd i nt e r c onne c t e d i n our r e l a t i ons hi ps .
A s a de s i gne r , m y a ppr oa c h t o e xpl or i ng a nd s t udyi ng hum a n r e l a t i ons hi ps a nd e m ot i ons
ha s be e n gr ounde d i n a qua l i t a t i ve m e t hodol ogy, w hi c h i nvol ve s a de e p a nd e m pa t he t i c
unde r s t a ndi ng of pe opl e ' s e xpe r i e nc e s , be ha vi or s , a nd a t t i t ude s . T hr ough t e c hni que s s uc h a s us e r
r e s e a r c h, i nt e r vi e w s , a nd obs e r va t i on, I ha ve s ought t o unc ove r t he unde r l yi ng dr i ve r s of hum a n
be ha vi or , i nc l udi ng t he dyna m i c s of pow e r , c ont r ol , a nd vi ol e nc e i n r e l a t i ons hi ps .
vi
T hi s m e t hodol ogy ha s i nf or m e d m y w or k on a c a m pa i gn a ga i ns t dom e s t i c vi ol e nc e ,
w hi c h w a s i ns pi r e d by a s oc i a l ne w s s t or y a nd m y ow n pe r s ona l e m pa t hy f or vi c t i m s of vi ol e nc e .
T o c r e a t e a n i m pa c t f ul m e s s a ge , I ut i l i z e d a pr oj e c t e d vi de o t ha t a l l ow e d t he a udi e nc e t o
i m m e r s e t he m s e l ve s a nd i nt e r a c t w i t h t he s pa c e , e xpr e s s i ng t he i r a nge r a nd f e e l i ngs a bout
dom e s t i c vi ol e nc e . T he vi de o w a s s hot i n a n a bs t r a c t a nd m e t a phor i c a l w a y, us i ng obj e c t s t o
r e pr e s e nt t he pr oc e s s of dom e s t i c vi ol e nc e a nd i t s i m pa c t on i ndi vi dua l s a nd f a m i l i e s . F or
e xa m pl e , s m a s hi ng a t om a t o r e pr e s e nt s t he a bus e r hi t t i ng a nd us i ng vi ol e nc e , or ope ni ng a nd
c l os i ng a w i ndow l e a f w i t h a f r e que nc y t ha t c r e a t e s a s e ns e of c onf i ne m e nt a nd s uf f oc a t i on.
F i gur e 1 . G as l i ght - Say N O t o D om e s t i c V i ol e nc e V i de o
W ha t I a t t e m pt t o a c hi e ve i n t hi s c a m pa i gn w a s t o c a l l f or r e s i s t a nc e t o vi ol e nc e a nd t o
e m pow e r vi c t i m s t o s pe a k out a nd s e e k he l p. B y f oc us i ng on t he e m ot i ons a nd e xpe r i e nc e s of
t hos e a f f e c t e d by dom e s t i c vi ol e nc e , I a i m e d t o r a i s e a w a r e ne s s a nd e nc our a ge gr e a t e r e m pa t hy
a nd unde r s t a ndi ng i n s oc i e t y. A s a de s i gne r , I be l i e ve t ha t t hr ough t hought f ul a nd e m pa t he t i c
de s i gn, w e c a n c r e a t e pos i t i ve s oc i a l c ha nge a nd he l p t o i m pr ove t he l i ve s of t hos e i n ne e d.
vi i
M y pr a c t i c e ha s c e nt e r e d on e xpl or i ng t he c om pl e xi t y a nd di ve r s i t y of hum a n e m ot i ons
a nd t he c ons e que nc e s t ha t a r i s e f r om not e xpr e s s i ng or a c know l e dgi ng t he m . I n r e s pons e t o t hi s ,
I de s i gne d a c l i c ka bl e a nd i nt e r a c t i ve e - bookl e t t ha t s e r ve s a s a c om m uni c a t i on t ool t o he l p
br i dge t he e m ot i ona l ga p w i t h m y f a m i l y. T he e - bookl e t a l s o i nc l ude s a vi s ua l s ys t e m a nd
c om m uni c a t i on gui de t ha t a s s i s t s f a m i l y m e m be r s i n e xpr e s s i ng t he i r e m ot i ons non- ve r ba l l y,
pr om ot i ng he a l t hi e r di s t a nc e a nd r e duc i ng t e ns i on or c onf l i c t .
T he pr oj e c t ' s vi s ua l de s i gn a nd a r t e l e m e nt s w e r e c a r e f ul l y c hos e n t o c r e a t e a r e l a xe d a nd
pos i t i ve a t m os phe r e f or be t t e r c om m uni c a t i on. T hr ough c ont i nuous de s i gn a nd e xpl or a t i on, I
f ound t ha t f a m i l y r e l a t i ons hi ps a nd e duc a t i on i n m a ny A s i a n c ount r i e s w hi c h t r a di t i ona l c ul t ur e
a r e r oot e d i n C onf uc i a ni s m m a y l a c k e qua l i t y a nd pos i t i vi t y. T he r e f or e , I pr opos e t o r e s e a r c h a nd
r e - e va l ua t e t r a di t i ona l be l i e f s a nd pr a c t i c e s t ha t m a y hi nde r ope n a nd he a l t hy f a m i l y
c om m uni c a t i on.
B y a ddr e s s i ng t hi s i s s ue , I hope t o pr om ot e gr e a t e r e m pa t hy a nd unde r s t a ndi ng w i t hi n
f a m i l i e s , l e a di ng t o i m pr ove d e m ot i ona l c onne c t i ons a nd m or e pos i t i ve r e l a t i ons hi ps . T hr ough
t hought f ul a nd e m pa t he t i c de s i gn, I be l i e ve w e c a n c r e a t e m e a ni ngf ul a nd pos i t i ve s oc i a l c ha nge .
1
C h a p t e r 1 : C u l t u r a l d i f f e r e n c e s a n d i n s p i r a t i o n o f t h e d e s i g n
T he e duc a t i ona l pe r s pe c t i ve s of di f f e r e nt c ount r i e s a r e s ha pe d by t he i r r e s pe c t i ve
e t hni c i t i e s , c ul t ur e s , t r a di t i ons , a nd s oc i a l gr oup vi e w s . P e opl e ha ve de ve l ope d di f f e r e nt
unde r s t a ndi ngs of be l ongi ng a nd i nt e r pe r s ona l r e l a t i ons hi p a w a r e ne s s ba s e d on t he s e f a c t or s .
T hi s i nt e r pr e t a t i on of be l ongi ng i s t he s pi r i t ua l c e nt e r of gr oup c ul t ur e a nd i s a l s o a pa r t of s oc i a l
i de ol ogy. T he s e c onc e pt s m a y a l s o be c om e t he be l i e f s , be ha vi or s , a nd m i nds e t s of a na t i on i n a
s ubt l e w a y. T he r e f or e , c ul t ur a l t r a di t i ons a nd i nhe r i t a nc e c a n he l p us be t t e r unde r s t a nd t he
c om pos i t i on of f a m i l i e s a nd t he c om pl e x s e ns e of be l ongi ng w i t hi n t he m .
I gr e w up i n a f a m i l y w i t h a n a t m os phe r e of i nde pe nde nc e a nd l a c k of c om m uni c a t i on,
a nd a t t he a ge of 14, I w a s s e nt t o t he U ni t e d S t a t e s t o l i ve a nd s t udy a l one , w hi c h w a s a ve r y
l one l y a nd c ha l l e ngi ng c hoi c e . T he unf a m i l i a r e nvi r onm e nt a nd l a ngua ge w e r e i nt i m i da t i ng f or
m e , but be c a us e m y pa r e nt s w e r e ve r y bus y w i t h w or k, w e c oul d onl y c om m uni c a t e onc e e ve r y
s i x m ont hs . E ve r y t i m e I t r i e d t o c a l l t he m w he n I e nc ount e r e d di f f i c ul t i e s , a l l I he a r d w a s t he
s ound of a n una ns w e r e d phone . I t w a s n' t unt i l I s a w m y r oom m a t e s t a l ki ng t o t he i r pa r e nt s e ve r y
da y t ha t I r e a l i z e d not a l l f a m i l y r e l a t i ons hi ps w e r e j us t l i ke m i ne . M a i nt a i ni ng good
c om m uni c a t i on i n m y f a m i l y i s a c ha l l e ngi ng t a s k be c a us e m y pa r e nt s l a c k c a r e f or t he i r c hi l dr e n
or f or c e m e t o do t hi ngs t ha t good t o m e i n t he i r m i nd, l e a di ng t o a l a c k of c ons e ns us a nd m ut ua l
pe r s ua s i on on m a ny t hi ngs . M uc h of t hi s i s due t o t he t r a ns m i s s i on of C hi ne s e t r a di t i ona l c ul t ur a l
i de a s of c a r i ng a nd e duc a t i on , a nd t he r e s t i s due t o l ong- di s t a nc e c om m uni c a t i on. I ha ve a l w a ys
be e n una bl e t o ge t m y pa r e nt s ' c a r e by obe yi ng or de r s unw i l l i ngl y, nor c a n I unde r s t a nd how
t he y c a n t r us t t he i r c hi l d t o be a l one i n a f or e i gn l a nd. F or t una t e l y, I ha ve a l w a ys be e n f ond of
pa i nt i ng s i nc e I w a s young. T o r e l i e ve t he pr e s s ur e i n m y he a r t , I be ga n t o us e a r t t o e xpr e s s a nd
r e l e a s e m y e m ot i ons , a nd I m e t m a ny l i ke - m i nde d f r i e nds i n a r t c l a s s . A r t i s a w a y f or m e t o he l p
2
m ys e l f . I n t hi s pr oc e s s , I f ound m y ow n a r t i s t i c s t yl e a nd l e a r ne d how t o e xpr e s s m y e m ot i ons
pr ope r l y. F i ndi ng t he r i ght e m ot i ona l out l e t i s e s s e nt i a l i n t he pr oc e s s of s e l f - gr ow t h. A s a
de s i gne r , I w a nt t o us e a r t , t he t ool t ha t he l pe d m e c ope w i t h e xt r e m e l one l i ne s s a nd f e e l i ngs of
a ba ndonm e nt , t o a i d t hos e w ho a r e s t i l l s t r uggl i ng w i t h f a m i l y r e l a t i ons hi ps . I c a l l f or a w a r e ne s s
a nd a t t e nt i on t o c r e a t i ng a ba l a nc e d, he a l t hy, a nd r e s pe c t f ul f a m i l y r e l a t i ons hi p.
" T he t hr e a d i n a l ovi ng m ot he r ' s ha nd, be c om e s t he c l ot he s on a t r a ve l e r ' s body" i s a l i ne
f r om t he poe m " S ong of t he T r a ve l l i ng S on" by t he T a ng dyna s t y poe t M e ng J i a o
1
. T hi s i s a
poe m a l m os t a l l C hi ne s e c hi l dr e n a r e f a m i l i a r w i t h, e xpr e s s i ng t he i m por t a nc e of c hi l dr e n i n
C hi ne s e f a m i l i e s a nd t he s ubt l e e xpr e s s i on of r e l a t i ons hi ps , a s a l ovi ng m ot he r us e s t he t hr e a d i n
he r ha nd t o s e w c l ot he s f or he r c hi l dr e n f a r a w a y. M y m ot he r i s a n e m br oi de r y a r t i s t w ho i s
s ki l l e d i n c om bi ni ng di f f e r e nt m a t e r i a l s s uc h a s t hr e a d, be a ds , a nd f a br i c s . I n a s e ns e , t hi s i s a
ki nd of i nhe r i t a nc e , a f a m i l y i nhe r i t a nc e a nd c onc e pt ua l a r t i nhe r i t a nc e . M y m ot he r ' s w or k
i ndi r e c t l y i nf l ue nc e s m y unde r s t a ndi ng of e m br oi de r y m a t e r i a l s . E m br oi de r y i s a ha ndi c r a f t
c om bi ni ng f l a t a nd t hr e e - di m e ns i ona l a s pe c t s , a nd s he l ove s t o us e ne e dl e s a nd t hr e a ds t o c r e a t e
a nd r e a l i z e a r t . O n t he ot he r ha nd, I of t e n us e c om put e r s t o c r e a t e f l a t de s i gns , w hi c h r i gi d m y
c ogni t i on a nd t he e xpr e s s i on of t he m e di um , a s i f I a m c onf i ne d t o a gl ow i ng s c r e e n.
W he n I i nt e r vi e w e d m y m ot he r a bout he r e m br oi de r y w or k, s he e xpl a i ne d t ha t
c om pl e t i ng a n e m br oi de r y pi e c e i s a t i m e - c ons um i ng pr oc e s s t ha t c a n t a ke a nyw he r e f r om a da y
t o a ye a r . D e s pi t e t he l ong dur a t i on, s he f i nds gr e a t s a t i s f a c t i on a nd a s e ns e of a c c om pl i s hm e nt i n
t he f i na l pr e s e nt a t i on of he r w or k, w hi c h s he c ons i de r s a gr e a t honor . I n t oda y' s f a s t - pa c e d 21s t
c e nt ur y, i t c a n be c ha l l e ngi ng f or pe opl e t o di s c onne c t f r om t he i r phone s f or e ve n a f e w hour s ,
1
T hi s i s a f i ve - c ha r a c t e r poe m w r i t t e n by M e ng J i a o, a T a ng D yna s t y poe t . T hi s i s a n ode t o m a t e r na l l ove . T he poe m c ons i s t s of
s i x s e nt e nc e s a nd t hr e e c r os s e s . B y r e c a l l i ng a s e e m i ngl y or di na r y s c e ne of s e w i ng c l ot he s be f or e de pa r t ur e , t he poe m hi ghl i ght s
a nd pr a i s e s t he gr e a t ne s s a nd s e l f l e s s ne s s of m a t e r na l l ove a nd e xpr e s s e s t he poe t ' s gr a t i t ude f or m a t e r na l l ove a nd hi s de e p l ove
a nd r e s pe c t f or hi s m ot he r .
3
l e t a l one s pe nd a c ons i de r a bl e a m ount of t i m e on e m br oi de r y. M y m ot he r e m pha s i z e d t ha t
e m br oi de r y r e qui r e s a hi gh l e ve l of de di c a t i on a nd a s t r ong s e ns e of m i s s i on, bot h of w hi c h a r e
dr i ve n by he r l ove a nd pa s s i on f or t he c r a f t .
H a ndi c r a f t s a nd a r t a r e of t e n c om pa r e d a nd m a ny pe opl e be l i e ve c r a f t s m a ns hi p i s not a r t
a n d i s a l w a y s l a b e l e d a s " c r a f t . " C o m p a r e d t o o t h e r f o r m s o f a r t , c r a f t i s o f t e n c o n s i d e r e d i n f e r i o r .
W ha t ki nd of a r t i s c ons i de r e d hi gh- e nd? O r i s i t t ha t a r t s houl d not be di s t i ngui s he d a s hi gh or
l ow , but r a t he r be e xhi bi t e d t hr ough di f f e r e nt f or m s a nd m e di a ? E m br oi de r y i s t r a di t i ona l but
a l s o e ndur i ng. E ve n now , w e c a n s e e t hi s f or m of a r t on m a ny c l ot hi ng i t e m s , s uc h a s t he w e l l -
know n br a nd G uc c i ' s c l ot he s a nd ba gs t ha t a r e de c or a t e d w i t h ne e dl e w or k ( F i gur e 2) . T hi s
pr e j udi c e a ga i ns t t r a di t i ona l a r t f or m s ne e ds t o be c ha nge d. N on- di gi t a l a r t t ha t r e qui r e s t i m e ,
l a bor , a nd m e di t a t i on s houl d be r e s pe c t e d by m or e pe opl e . T hough t he r e a r e e m br oi de r y
m a c hi ne s , ha nd c r a f t e m br oi de r y s t i l l f a r s ur pa s s e s i n t e r m s of pr e c i s i on, t e xt ur e a nd c om pl e xi t y.
T he f ut ur e s houl d not onl y be f i l l e d w i t h hi gh- t e c h e l e c t r oni c pr oduc t s , but w e s houl d a l s o
pr ot e c t a nd i nhe r i t non- di gi t a l a r t a nd l e a r n f r om i t i ns t e a d of l e t t i ng t hi s t r a di t i ona l a r t f or m
di s a ppe a r due t o t he c ha ngi ng t i m e s . I w a nt t o c om bi ne t r a di t i ona l a r t w i t h vi s ua l c om m uni c a t i on
de s i gn, a l l ow i ng di f f e r e nt t ype s of a r t t o c om pl e m e nt e a c h ot he r a nd a c hi e ve s uc c e s s . T hi s
c onne c t i on i s a m ut ua l r e s pe c t be t w e e n di f f e r e nt f or m s of a r t , c r e a t i ng di ve r s i t y a nd pl ur a l i s m ,
but a t t he s a m e t i m e , i t i s a l s o a n e xpr e s s i on t ool a nd m e t hod f or t he bond be t w e e n m e a nd m y
f a m i l y. T he r e f or e , t he t hr e a di ng a nd i nt e r w e a vi ng of ne e dl e s a nd t hr e a ds ha ve be c om e t he m a i n
m e di um a nd di s pl a y m e t hod of m y gr a dua t i on pr oj e c t , w hi l e a l s o e xpr e s s i ng t he i nt e r t w i ne d
e m ot i ons be t w e e n m y m ot he r a nd m e , a nd c a l l i ng on e ve r yone t o i m pr ove a nd va l ue t he
i m por t a nc e of he a l t hy f a m i l y r e l a t i ons hi ps .
4
F i gur e 2. D e e r E m br oi de r e d Sm al l G uc c i M ar m ont V e l v e t Shoul de r B ag B l ue
5
C h a p t e r 2 : T h e i n f l u e n c e of C on f u c i an i s m on t h e ol d e r ge n e r at i on of C h i n e s e f am i l i e s
I n t r a di t i ona l C hi ne s e a nd E a s t A s i a n C onf uc i a n f a m i l y e t hi c s
2
, c hi l dr e n a r e not a l l ow e d
t o di s obe y or go a ga i ns t t he opi ni ons of t he i r pa r e nt s or e l de r s i n t he f a m i l y. P e r s ona l t hought s
a nd w i l l s a r e s ubor di na t e d t o t he c onc e pt of t he f a m i l y a s a w hol e . F r om bi g de c i s i ons s uc h a s
m a r r i a ge a nd c a r e e r c hoi c e s , t o s m a l l de t a i l s i n e ve r yda y l i f e , t he y a r e a l l de c i de d by pa r e nt s or
e l de r s . T he r e l a t i ons hi p be t w e e n e l de r s a nd j uni or s i s ve r y s e ns i t i ve i n A s i a n c ount r i e s w hi c h
t r a di t i ona l c ul t ur e a r e r oot e d i n C onf uc i a ni s m , a nd t hi s de c i s i on- m a ki ng pow e r i s us ua l l y us e d t o
de f i ne a nd e xpr e s s a bs ol ut e r e s pe c t f or e l de r s . T hi s c a n be t r a c e d ba c k t o C onf uc i a n m or a l
phi l os ophy.
I n t he A na l e c t s of C onf uc i us
3
, i t i s m e nt i one d t ha t " f i l i a l pi e t y i s not goi ng a ga i ns t t he
w i s he s of one ' s pa r e nt s ." A s c hi l dr e n s e r vi ng t he i r pa r e nt s , e ve n i f t he y ha ve di f f e r e nt opi ni ons or
e ve n m a ke m i s t a ke s , t he y s houl d a dvi s e t he m i n a ge nt l e m a nne r . E ve n w he n t he i r ow n w i l l i s
not f ol l ow e d, t he y s houl d s t i l l r e s pe c t f ul l y a voi d of f e ndi ng t he m , a nd t hough t he y m a y f e e l
s or r ow f ul i n t he i r he a r t s , t he y s houl d not ha r bor r e s e nt m e nt or c om pl a i nt s . T hi s ha s r e s ul t e d i n
m a ny de s c e nda nt s not ha vi ng t he f r e e dom t o e xpr e s s t he i r ow n t hought s a nd opi ni ons . E ve n i f
t he y do ha ve opi ni ons , t he y m a y not ha ve t he oppor t uni t y or s t a t us t o e xpr e s s t he m . O n t he ot he r
ha nd, pa r e nt s m a y not know how t o l i s t e n t o a nd r e s pe c t t he opi ni ons of t he i r c hi l dr e n, a s t he i r
s t a t us m a y not r e qui r e t he m t o do s o. I t c a n e ve n be e m ba r r a s s i ng f or t he m t o be t a ught by t he i r
c hi l dr e n.
S uc h f a m i l y a nd s oc i a l ba c kgr ounds ha ve l e d t o s e r i ous c onf l i c t s be t w e e n m a ny c hi l dr e n
a nd t he i r pa r e nt s . P a r e nt s us e t he i r a ut hor i t y t o s uppr e s s t he i r c hi l dr e n' s na t ur e , m a ki ng t he m i nt o
2
C onf uc i us , K ongqi u, w a s a phi l os ophe r , pol i t i c i a n of t he S pr i ng a nd A ut um n pe r i od, a nd f ounde r of C onf uc i a n S c hool i n
a nc i e nt C hi na . C onf uc i us c ons t r uc t e d a c om pl e t e i de ol ogi c a l s ys t e m of " vi r t ue a nd T a o ” : he a dvoc a t e d t he vi r t ue a nd vi r t ue of
" be ne vol e nc e a nd pr opr i e t y" a t t he i ndi vi dua l l e ve l . H i s i de a s i nf l ue nc e d t he w hol e c ount r y.
3
K ong, Q i u, a nd S i m on L e ys . A nal e c t s of C onf uc i us . W W N or t on & C o L t d, 1997.
6
w ha t t he i r pa r e nt s w a nt t he m t o be . T he t w o ge ne r a t i ons c a nnot c om m uni c a t e w e l l w i t h e a c h
ot he r , a nd t he c hi l dr e n' s w i s he s a r e not unde r s t ood a nd s uppor t e d, but onl y s uppr e s s e d a nd
obe di e nt . W e a l l know t ha t pa r e nt s a nd f a m i l y a r e t he f i r s t t e a c he r s f or c hi l dr e n i n t he i r gr ow t h
pr oc e s s . T he r e f or e , gr ow i ng up i n a r e pr e s s i ve e nvi r onm e nt w he r e t he y a r e not pr a i s e d a nd
l i s t e ne d t o c a n s e r i ous l y a f f e c t c hi l dr e n' s phys i c a l a nd m e nt a l he a l t h. T he y m a y be c om e pa s s i ve
a nd l a c k s e l f - c onf i de nc e , or t he y m a y de ve l op r e be l l i ous a nd a ggr e s s i ve be ha vi or . I n e xt r e m e
c a s e s , t he y m a y e ve n r e s or t t o s e l f - ha r m or e nga ge i n r i s ky be ha vi or s t o e s c a pe t he i r oppr e s s i ve
e nvi r onm e nt . W he n i t i s di s c ove r e d t ha t a c or r e c t i on i n t he r e l a t i ons hi p i s ne e de d, i t i s us ua l l y
t oo l a t e , a nd s om e c hi l dr e n e ve n pa y t he pr i c e of t he i r l i ve s f or i t . T he c ons e que nc e s of
di s obe di e nc e i n t he pa r e nt - c hi l d r e l a t i ons hi p c a n be f a r r e a c hi ng a nd l ong- l a s t i ng. T he r e f or e , w e
s houl d s t r i ve t o ha ve t he a w a r e ne s s of pr ot e c t i ng a nd r e s pe c t i ng c hi l dr e n' s na t ur e e a r l y on, w hi c h
i s a va l ua bl e t r a i t .
D ue t o t he c ur r e nt s pe c i a l pe r i od w e a r e l i vi ng i n - t he pa nde m i c , m a ny A s i a n c ount r i e s
ha ve be e n unde r s t r i c t c ont r ol a nd hom e qua r a nt i ne dur i ng t he pa nde m i c , w hi c h i s a l ong a nd
t e di ous s t a t e . M a ny pl a c e s ha ve i m pl e m e nt e d hom e i s ol a t i on a nd l oc kdow n m e a s ur e s , w hi c h
r e qui r e f a m i l y m e m be r s t o s t a y a t hom e f or l ong pe r i ods of t i m e . O n t he ot he r ha nd, m a ny
s c hool s a nd bus i ne s s e s ha ve a dopt e d onl i ne e duc a t i on a nd r e m ot e w or k, w hi c h m e a ns t ha t f a m i l y
m e m be r s ne e d t o s ha r e hous e hol d e qui pm e nt a nd ne t w or k r e s our c e s , w hi c h m a y a l s o a f f e c t t he i r
p e r s o n a l s p a c e a n d i n d e p e n d e n c e . I n a d d i t i o n , f a m i l i e s m a y f a c e i s s u e s s u c h a s d e c r e a s e d i n c o m e ,
e c onom i c pr e s s ur e , a nd j ob i ns t a bi l i t y. T hi s e xt e r na l pr e s s ur e ha s i nc r e a s e d pe opl e ' s ne ga t i ve
e m ot i ons a nd c onf l i c t s . D ue t o t he r e a s ons m e nt i one d a bove , m or e t i m e t oge t he r ha s not br ought
m or e ha r m oni ous f a m i l y r e l a t i ons hi ps , but r a t he r i nc r e a s e d c l a s he d of opi ni ons a nd c r e a t e d m or e
7
f a m i l y c onf l i c t s . A c c or di ng t o a j our na l publ i s he d on P M C
4
, dur i ng t he pa nde m i c , l oc kdow n,
f e a r , unc e r t a i nt y, a nd t he i na bi l i t y t o a c c e s s t ypi c a l s uppor t out s i de of t he f a m i l y s e e m e d t o
e xa c e r ba t e t he ps yc hol ogi c a l he a l t h pr obl e m s of c a r e gi ve r s a nd a dol e s c e nt s , l e a di ng t o i nc r e a s e d
f a m i l y c onf l i c t s . A dol e s c e nt s a l s o f a c e d uni que ps yc hol ogi c a l he a l t h s ym pt om s i nt e ns i f i e d by t he
pa nde m i c , l e a di ng t o e xt e r na l i z i ng be ha vi or s a nd f r us t r a t i on w i t h c a r e gi ve r s ' f a i l ur e t o
a de qua t e l y m e e t t he i r ps yc hol ogi c a l he a l t h ne e ds , r e s ul t i ng i n f a m i l y c onf l i c t s . T he s e c onf l i c t s
c a n c a us e t he r e l a t i ons hi p be t w e e n t he t w o ge ne r a t i ons t o de t e r i or a t e . T he r e f or e , I w a nt t o us e a r t
a s a br i dge t o be c om e a t ool f or a l l e vi a t i ng t he pr obl e m of t he r e l a t i ons hi p be t w e e n t he t w o
ge ne r a t i ons .
A l t hough m or e a nd m or e pe opl e i n m ode r n t i m e s a r e be gi nni ng t o pa y a t t e nt i on t o t he
di s a dva nt a ge d pos i t i on of c hi l dr e n i n t he s e f a m i l y r e l a t i ons hi ps , t he i r de m a nds a r e not
unde r s t ood or s uppor t e d. T he y a r e s ubj e c t e d t o l ong- t e r m m e nt a l c ont r ol a nd m or a l c oe r c i on, a nd
t he i r l i ve s a r e e ve n c om pl e t e l y dom i na t e d. H ow e ve r , t hi s i s f a r f r om e nough. S om e A s i a n
pa r e nt s ha ve a ve r y s t r ong de s i r e t o c ont r ol t he i r c hi l dr e n. T he pa r e nt s ' s t a t us i s s t i l l f a r hi ghe r
t ha n t he voi c e of t he c hi l d. T hi s i ne qua l i t y i n t he f a m i l y w i l l a l w a ys e xi s t i n A s i a n c ul t ur e
be c a us e w e c a nnot c ha nge t he na t i ona l i de a a dvoc a t e d by C onf uc i us . B ut i t i s ne c e s s a r y t o
a m pl i f y t he ne e ds a nd voi c e s of c hi l dr e n. F a m i l y r e l a t i ons hi ps a r e una voi da bl e f or c hi l dr e n, s o
w e s houl d pa y m or e a t t e nt i on t o t he i r ps yc hol ogi c a l a nd phys i c a l he a l t h, w hi c h i ndi c a t e s t he
ut i l i z a t i on of f a m i l y t he r a py. F a m i l y t he r a py i s a t ype of ps yc hol ogi c a l t he r a py t ha t f oc us e s on
he l pi ng f a m i l y m e m be r s i m pr ove c om m uni c a t i on, r e s ol ve c onf l i c t s , a nd s t r e ngt he n r e l a t i ons hi ps .
4
S i nko, L a ur a , Y ua n H e , R a c he l K i s ht on, R obi n O r t i z , L a r e l J a c obs , a nd M i c he l l e F i nge r m a n. “ ‘ T he S t a y a t H om e O r de r I s
C a us i ng T hi ngs t o G e t H e a t e d up’ : F a m i l y C onf l i c t D yna m i c s dur i ng C ovi d- 19 f r om t he P e r s pe c t i ve s of Y out h C a l l i ng a
N a t i ona l C hi l d A bus e H ot l i ne . ” J our na l of f a m i l y vi ol e nc e . U .S . N a t i ona l L i br a r y of M e di c i ne , 2022.
ht t ps : / / w w w .nc bi .nl m .ni h.gov/ pm c / a r t i c l e s / P M C 8186368/ .
8
A c c or di ng t o J our na l publ i s he d by D i a m ond, G ., & L i ddl e , H . A . ( 1996)
5
, t he r e s e a r c h i ndi c a t e s
t ha t a dol e s c e nt s be c a m e m or e c oope r a t i ve a nd e nga ge d i n bot h t r e a t m e nt a nd c om m uni c a t i ons
w he n t he i r pa r e nt s t ur ne d t he i r m i nds f r om t r yi ng t o c ont r ol t he m t o unde r s t a ndi ng w ha t t he y a r e
t hi nki ng a nd c a r i ng f or . T hi s w i l l be a l ong a nd e ne r gy- i nt e ns i ve c ul t i va t i on pr oc e s s , a nd w e
m us t s t a r t t o ha ve t hi s a w a r e ne s s f r om a young a ge . P a r e nt s a nd t e a c he r s a r e not a l w a ys r i ght , s o
w e ne e d t o ha ve a s e ns e of m ut ua l r e s pe c t .
5
D i a m ond, G uy, a nd H ow a r d A . L i ddl e . “ R e s ol vi ng a T he r a pe ut i c I m pa s s e be t w e e n P a r e nt s a nd A dol e s c e nt s i n
M ul t i di m e ns i ona l F a m i l y T he r a py. ” J our nal of C ons ul t i ng and C l i ni c al P s y c hol ogy 64, no. 3 ( 1996) : 481 – 88.
ht t ps : / / doi .or g/ 10.1037/ 0022- 006x.64.3.481.
9
C h ap t e r 3: S e e k s e n s e of b e l on gi n g i n f am i l y r e l at i on s h i p s
W e ne e d t o unde r s t a nd t he s e r i ous ne s s of di s r e ga r di ng c hi l dr e n' s ne e ds . A s uf f oc a t i ng
f a m i l y e nvi r onm e nt c a n l e a d t o e xt r e m e c ha r a c t e r t r a i t s i n c hi l dr e n, gr a dua l l y l e a di ng t he m t o
be c om e de pr e s s e d or e ve n de ve l op s ui c i da l t hought s . T he s e c ha nge s i n t hi nki ng a r e s om e t hi ng
t ha t w e ne e d t o pa y e xt r e m e a t t e nt i on t o. O ne t r a gi c i nc i de nt oc c ur r e d i n S ha ngha i i n 2019,
w he r e a 17- ye a r - ol d hi gh s c hool s t ude nt got i nt o a n a r gum e nt w i t h hi s m ot he r w hi l e on a
hi ghw a y br i dge . D e s pi t e r e pe a t e dl y pl e a di ng w i t h hi s m ot he r t o s t op s c ol di ng hi m , s he i gnor e d
hi s r e que s t s a nd di d not e m pa t hi z e w i t h hi m . H e t he n got out of t he c a r a nd j um pe d of f t he L upu
B r i dge , r e s ul t i ng i n hi s de a t h. T hi s w a s r e por t e d i n t he P e opl e ' s D a i l y
6
. E ve n m or e l a m e nt a bl e
w a s t he s oc i a l di s c us s i on t ha t t ook pl a c e a f t e r t he i nc i de nt . M os t pe opl e t hought t ha t t he c hi l d' s
r e a c t i on w a s t oo e xt r e m e . M os t pa r e nt s ha ve e xt r e m e l y hi gh e xpe c t a t i ons f or t he i r c hi l dr e n, a nd
l ong- t e r m s t r i c t e duc a t i on ha s l e d t o oppr e s s i ve a nd di s t or t e d r e l a t i ons hi ps ." H ope t ha t t he s on
w i l l be c om e a dr a gon, a nd t he da ught e r w i l l be c om e a phoe ni x" e xpr e s s e s t he s ubc ons c i ous of
C hi ne s e s oc i e t y' s gr oup of pe opl e , a nd pa r e nt s ' hi gh de m a nds f or t he ne xt ge ne r a t i on c a nnot be
r e f ut e d be c a us e t he i r i nt e nt i on i s t o c ul t i va t e t he i r c hi l dr e n' s t a l e nt s . A s m e nt i one d i n t he a r t i c l e
" H um a n N e e ds : F a m i l y" by R ut h P a r i s a nd E l l e n R . D e V oe , " I n m os t f a m i l i e s , t he goa l i s t he
s a m e - t o c ul t i va t e a nd he l p f a m i l y m e m be r s gr ow , m a i nt a i n t he c onne c t i on be t w e e n f a m i l y
m e m be r s , a nd gi ve m e m be r s a s e ns e of be l ongi ng t o t he f a m i l y."
7
H ow e ve r , w ha t i s t he s e ns e of be l ongi ng i n a f a m i l y? D oe s i t m e a n t ha t e l de r s ha ve a n
a bs ol ut e pos i t i on i n C onf uc i a ni s m ? W e ha ve be e n t a ught t o r e s pe c t our pa r e nt s a nd e l de r s s i nc e
c hi l dhood, but not e ve r yone know s t o r e s pe c t c hi l dr e n. U nde r s t a ndi ng one ' s s e ns e of be l ongi ng
6
“ A pr i l 17 S ha ngha i B oy J um pi ng of f B r i dge I nc i de nt . ” E ngl i s h- - P e opl e ' s D a i l y O nl i ne . A c c e s s e d J a nua r y 16, 2023.
ht t p: / / e n.pe opl e .c n/ .
7
P a r i s , R ut h, a nd E l l e n R . D e V oe . “ H um a n N e e ds : F a m i l y. ” E nc y c l ope di a of Soc i al W or k , 2013.
ht t ps : / / doi .or g/ 10.1093/ a c r e f or e / 9780199975839.013.555.
10
i s a c e nt r a l pa r t of i de nt i t y f or m a t i on a nd s e l f - a w a r e ne s s ; f e e l i ng s a f e s om e w he r e , w i t h s pe c i f i c
pe opl e i s i de nt i f i e d a s a ba s i c hum a n ne e d ( B a um e i s t e r & L e a r y, 1995; B ow l by, 1969; M a s l ow ,
1968) . I be l i e ve t ha t a s e ns e of be l ongi ng i s l e t t i ng c hi l dr e n f e e l t he i r i m por t a nc e t o t he f a m i l y,
be r e s pe c t e d by t he f a m i l y, a nd s ur r ounde d by t he f a m i l y' s l ove . T he e xi s t e nc e of c hi l dr e n i s
c r uc i a l t o c om pl e t i ng a f a m i l y. H ow e ve r , i n s t r i c t S out he a s t A s i a n e duc a t i on e nvi r onm e nt s ,
c hi l dr e n us ua l l y do not f e e l a s e ns e of e xi s t e nc e i n t he i r f a m i l i e s . I n ot he r w or ds , pa r e nt s ' ne gl e c t
of t he i r c hi l dr e n w i l l m a ke t he m doubt t he i r pe r s ona l va l ue i n t he f a m i l y. T oda y, f a m i l y
r e l a t i ons hi ps a r e c r uc i a l t o a pe r s on' s gr ow t h a nd de ve l opm e nt . A f a m i l y i s our ha r bor , t he pl a c e
w he r e c hi l dr e n gr ow a nd l e a r n, a nd t he ha ve n w he r e pe opl e r e t ur n t o t he i r he a r t s . I n a s t a bl e a nd
w a r m f a m i l y, e ve r y m e m be r c a n f e e l a s e ns e of be l ongi ng t o t he f a m i l y, a nd t hi s s e ns e of
be l ongi ng i s c r uc i a l t o t he he a l t hy gr ow t h of c hi l dr e n.
F a m i l y i s t he e a r l i e s t e nvi r onm e nt f or a pe r s on' s gr ow t h, a nd a s t a bl e , w a r m , a nd s a f e
f a m i l y c a n pr ovi de c hi l dr e n w i t h ne c e s s a r y e m ot i ona l s uppor t a nd s a t i s f a c t i on, he l p t he m
e s t a bl i s h a s t a bl e s e l f - i de nt i t y a nd a s e ns e of s e c ur i t y, a nd f or m a he a l t hy ps yc hol ogi c a l s t r uc t ur e .
F a m i l y s e ns e of be l ongi ng i s t he f ounda t i on of t hi s e m ot i ona l s uppor t , w hi c h r e f e r s t o a c hi l d' s
r e c ogni t i on a nd a c c e pt a nc e of t he i r pos i t i on a nd r ol e i n t he f a m i l y. W he n c hi l dr e n f e e l a s e ns e of
be l ongi ng i n t he i r f a m i l y, t he y f e e l l ove d a nd a c c e pt e d by t he i r f a m i l y m e m be r s , w hi c h he l ps
t he m e s t a bl i s h a he a l t hy s e l f - i de nt i t y a nd s e l f - e s t e e m , a nd a l s o he l ps t he m bui l d i nt i m a t e
r e l a t i ons hi ps w i t h f a m i l y m e m be r s , t he r e by obt a i ni ng m or e e m ot i ona l s uppor t a nd s a t i s f a c t i on.
I f c hi l dr e n l a c k a s e ns e of be l ongi ng i n t he i r f a m i l y, t he y a r e e a s i l y t o f e e l r e j e c t e d,
ne gl e c t e d, a nd i s ol a t e d, w hi c h c a n a f f e c t t he i r ps yc hol ogi c a l he a l t h a nd s oc i a l a bi l i t i e s .
A c c or di ng t o M i c he l l e M i l l e r - D a y ’ s r e s e a r c h
8
of F a m i l y C om m uni c a t i on, i n f a m i l y s ys t e m s
8
M i l l e r - D a y, M i c he l l e . “ F a m i l y C om m uni c a t i on. ” O x f or d R e s e ar c h E nc y c l ope di a of C om m uni c at i on , 2017.
ht t ps : / / doi .or g/ 10.1093/ a c r e f or e / 9780190228613.013.177.
11
w he r e i ndi vi dua l i t y i s not va l ue d a nd di f f e r e nt i a t i on i s di s c our a ge d, of f s pr i ng m a y f e e l pr e s s ur e d
t o c onf or m t o t he i r pa r e nt s ' e xpe c t a t i ons i n or de r t o r e c e i ve a ppr ova l a nd a voi d t he w i t hdr a w a l of
a f f e c t i on. T hi s c a n l e a d t o ove r - a c c om m oda t i on t o pa r e nt s ' t hought s , a t t i t ude s , a nd f e e l i ngs ,
r e s ul t i ng i n c onve r ge nc e w i t h t he pa r e nt s ' a s s i gne d m e a ni ngs a t t he e xpe ns e of t he i r ow n. T hi s
t ype of c om m uni c a t i on, know n a s c onve r ge nc e c om m uni c a t i on, ha s be e n a s s oc i a t e d w i t h va r i ous
ne ga t i ve he a l t h out c om e s , i nc l udi ng e a t i ng di s or de r s . C hi l dr e n m a y f e e l t ha t t he y a r e not
a c c e pt e d, w hi c h l e a ds t o f e e l i ngs of s e l f - doubt a nd s e l f - de ni a l , a nd t he be l i e f t ha t t he y c a nnot
obt a i n r e c ogni t i on a nd a c c e pt a nc e f r om t he i r pa r e nt s or f a m i l y m e m be r s . T he s e e m ot i ons of t e n
pe r s i s t i n va r i ous s t a ge s of a c hi l d' s gr ow t h, w hi c h c a n a f f e c t t he i r s e l f - i de nt i t y, s e l f - e s t e e m , a nd
ps yc hol ogi c a l he a l t h.
T he que s t i oni ng of one ' s ow n s e l f - w or t h i s da nge r ous be c a us e i t m a y l e a d t o de pr e s s i on.
M i c he l l e a l s o f i nds t ha t t he i nt r us i ve a nd r e j e c t i ng be ha vi or s of pa r e nt s a r e l i ke l y t o r e s ul t i n s e l f -
a t t a c ks of c hi l dr e n, a nd c a n i nc r e a s e t he r i s k of s ui c i de i n l a t e r l i f e . I n f a c t , da t a f r om t he
C hi l dr e n' s D e ve l opm e nt C e nt e r a t P e ki ng U ni ve r s i t y
9
s how s t ha t a bout 100,000 young pe opl e
di e f r om s ui c i de i n C hi na e a c h ye a r , w i t h a n a ve r a ge of t w o s ui c i de s a nd e i ght s ui c i de a t t e m pt s
pe r m i nut e . T hi s e nt a ngl e d r e l a t i ons hi p be t w e e n ge ne r a t i ons i s a n i s s ue t ha t I ha ve be e n c l os e l y
f ol l ow i ng, a s i t not onl y c onc e r ns how t o e s t a bl i s h a he a l t hy r e l a t i ons hi p be t w e e n e l de r s a nd
c hi l dr e n, but a l s o c onc e r ns t he f ut ur e de ve l opm e nt of s oc i e t y a nd t he e nvi r onm e nt . R i gi d
e duc a t i on s uppr e s s e s c hi l dr e n' s na t ur e , w hi c h m a y l e a d t o de f e c t s i n t he i r pe r s ona l i t i e s or l a c k of
s e l f - c onf i de nc e , m a ki ng i t di f f i c ul t f or t he m t o de ve l op s e l f - w or t h i n l a r ge c om m uni t i e s ( s oc i e t y)
or s m a l l c om m uni t i e s ( f a m i l y) . T hi s t ype of f a m i l y r e l a t i ons hi p m a y a l s o be i nf l ue nc e d by
c ul t ur a l a nd e t hni c di ve r s i t y. A s m e nt i one d i n " D i ve r s i t y w i t hi n A s i a n A m e r i c a n f a m i l i e s " by
9
“ I ns t i t ut e of C hi l d a nd A dol e s c e nt H e a l t h of P e ki ng U ni ve r s i t y. ” I ns t i t ut e of C hi l d a nd A dol e s c e nt H e a l t h of P e ki ng U ni ve r s i t y-
北京大学公共卫生学院. A c c e s s e d M a r c h 4, 2023. ht t ps : / / s ph.pku.e du.c n/ i nf o/ 1120/ 3986.ht m .
12
I s hi i - K unt z ," M os t A s i a n c ul t ur e s s uppor t f a m i l y c ohe s i ve ne s s a nd s ol i da r i t y, a nd i t i s a c om m on
be l i e f t ha t one ' s be ha vi or r e f l e c t s on one s e l f a nd one ' s f a m i l y. S t r ong f a m i l y c onne c t i ons c a n
be ne f i t s t r uggl i ng i m m i gr a nt s t hr ough t he us e of s uppor t i ve ki n ne t w or ks ."
1 0
T he r e f or e ,
e nha nc i ng t he c onne c t i on a nd s e ns e of be l ongi ng a m ong f a m i l y m e m be r s i s c r uc i a l . F a m i l y
m e m be r s s houl d c r e a t e a n e nvi r onm e nt of m ut ua l r e s pe c t a nd e nc our a ge m e nt t o m a ke c hi l dr e n
f e e l a c c e pt e d a nd a ppr e c i a t e d. P a r e nt s s houl d r e s pe c t t he i r c hi l dr e n' s f e e l i ngs a nd ne e ds a nd
pr ovi de t he m w i t h a s e ns e of s e c ur i t y a nd s uppor t . T hr ough ope n, hone s t , a nd r e s pe c t f ul
c om m uni c a t i on, f a m i l y m e m be r s c a n be t t e r unde r s t a nd e a c h ot he r , bui l d t r us t a nd c onne c t i ons ,
a nd e s t a bl i s h a s e ns e of f a m i l y be l ongi ng.
F i r s t l y, w e s houl d e s t a bl i s h c om m on va l ue s a nd i nt e r e s t s i n t he f a m i l y, w hi c h he l ps
c hi l dr e n unde r s t a nd t he r ol e s a nd r e s pons i bi l i t i e s of e a c h f a m i l y m e m be r a nd s t r e ngt he ns t he i r
s e ns e of i de nt i t y a nd be l ongi ng t o t he f a m i l y. S e c ondl y, e nc our a gi ng c om m uni c a t i on a nd
i nt e r a c t i on a m ong f a m i l y m e m be r s , e s pe c i a l l y be t w e e n pa r e nt s a nd c hi l dr e n, a nd pr om ot i ng
c oope r a t i on a nd m ut ua l a s s i s t a nc e a m ong f a m i l y m e m be r s , he l ps t o s t r e ngt he n c hi l dr e n' s s e ns e
of s e c ur i t y a nd t r us t a nd e nha nc e t he i r s e ns e of be l ongi ng t o t he f a m i l y. A ddi t i ona l l y, f a m i l y
c ohe s i on a nd a s e ns e of be l ongi ng c a n be s t r e ngt he ne d t hr ough pa r t i c i pa t i ng i n f a m i l y a c t i vi t i e s
a nd t r a di t i ona l hol i da ys .
F i na l l y, pa r e nt s s houl d a l s o gi ve t he i r c hi l dr e n a ppr opr i a t e a ut onom y a nd r e s pons i bi l i t y,
a l l ow i ng t he m t o pa r t i c i pa t e i n de c i s i on- m a ki ng a nd c ont r i but e t o t he f a m i l y, t he r e by i nc r e a s i ng
t he i r s e l f - e s t e e m a nd s e l f - c onf i de nc e a nd e nha nc i ng t he i r s e ns e of i de nt i t y a nd be l ongi ng t o t he
f a m i l y.
1 0
I s hi i - K unt z , M a s a ko. D i v e r s i t y w i t hi n A s i an A m e r i c an F am i l i e s , n.d.
13
I n A s i a n f a m i l y va l ue s , w ha t w e w a nt t o do i s t o ge t r i d of i ne qua l i t y a nd i nc r e a s e
a w a r e ne s s of f a m i l y- f r i e ndl i ne s s , s o t ha t t he s e pr e s s ur e s a nd r e s t r a i nt s c a n be t r a ns f or m e d i nt o
pos i t i ve r e l a t i ons hi ps . W e w a nt c hi l dr e n t o s e e t he f a m i l y a s a ha r bor of be l ongi ng r a t he r t ha n a
pl a c e w he r e t he y ha ve t o be a r pr e s s ur e t ha t t he y c a nnot e s c a pe .
F a m i l y r e l a t i ons hi ps a r e a c om pl e x a nd ongoi ng i s s ue .
14
C h ap t e r 4: R e s p e c t an d p r ot e c t a c h i l d ' s n at u r e
M y m ot he r i s a n a c c om pl i s he d e m br oi de r y a r t i s t a nd t e a c he r . S he ha s gi ve n publ i c
l e c t ur e s a nd c our s e s on e m br oi de r y i n J a pa n a nd C hi na , a nd he r e m br oi de r y de s i gns ha ve be e n
f e a t ur e d i n c ol um ns of ne w s pa pe r s a nd m a ga z i ne s . S he ha s a de e p unde r s t a ndi ng of va r i ous
e m br oi de r y t e c hni que s , w hi c h i s no s m a l l f e a t c ons i de r i ng t ha t e m br oi de r y c om pr i s e s m a ny
di f f e r e nt s t yl e a nd t e c hni que s , e a c h c ount r y w i t h i t s ow n di s t i nc t s t yl e . M y m ot he r a l w a ys
f oc us e s on he r e m br oi de r y a r t , c a r e f ul l y w e a vi ng ne e dl e s t hr ough t hr e a ds a nd f a br i c s w i t h
de l i c a t e s ki l l a nd e xqui s i t e c ol or . D i f f e r e nt t ype s of t hr e a ds a r e i nt e r w ove n w i t h ot he r m a t e r i a l s
s uc h a s be a ds , pe a r l s , a nd qui l l s t o c r e a t e m a r ve l ous t e xt i l e s a nd f a br i c s . I ni t i a l l y, I di d not
unde r s t a nd t he s i gni f i c a nc e of t hi s l e ngt hy pr oc e s s , a nd s o m y i nvol ve m e nt w i t h m y m ot he r ' s
de s i gn w or k w a s m i ni m a l . H ow e ve r , I s oon r e a l i z e d t ha t t hi s w a s not s i m pl y a m a t t e r of di f f e r e nt
de s i gn pr e f e r e nc e s but r a t he r a pr oc e s s by w hi c h c hi l dr e n a nd t he i r e l de r s c om e t o r e s pe c t one
a not he r w i t hi n a f a m i l y. I n t e xt i l e a nd f a br i c de s i gn, di f f e r e nt m a t e r i a l s a nd c ol or s of t hr e a ds
pl a y c om pl e m e nt a r y r ol e s a nd ne i t he r ha s gr e a t e r " a ut hor i t y" t ha n t he ot he r s , t he y w or k a s a
w hol e t o be one ha r m ony pi e c e . I be l i e ve t ha t s i l k t hr e a ds a r e r e l a t e d t o f a m i l y r e l a t i ons hi ps , a s
bot h a r e m a de up of c ount l e s s i ndi vi dua l t hr e a ds i nt e r t w i ne d t o f or m a c om pl e x w hol e . T he s e
t hr e a ds de pe nd on one a not he r a nd i nt e r a c t w i t h e a c h ot he r , s om e t i m e s be c om i ng t a ngl e d a nd
s om e t i m e s ha r m oni ous l y w e a vi ng t oge t he r t o c r e a t e a m a gni f i c e nt w or k. T hi s i nt e r de pe nde nt
a nd i nt e r a c t i ve r e l a t i ons hi p a l s o e xi s t s w i t hi n f a m i l y r e l a t i ons hi ps .
F i gur e 3 . M y m om i s doi ng he r e m br oi de r y pr oj e c t
15
L i ke s t r a nds of t hr e a d, e a c h m e m be r of a f a m i l y i s a n i nde pe nde nt i ndi vi dua l , but t he y
a r e c onne c t e d t o e a c h ot he r , f or m i ng a n i nt e r de pe nde nt r e l a t i ons hi p w i t hi n t he f a m i l y. E a c h
m e m be r of t he f a m i l y ha s t he i r ow n c ha r a c t e r i s t i c s a nd s t r e ngt hs , j us t l i ke e a c h s t r a nd of t hr e a d
ha s i t s ow n c ol or a nd t e xt ur e , but i t i s onl y w he n t he y a r e i nt e r w ove n w i t h e a c h ot he r t ha t a
be a ut i f ul w hol e c a n be f or m e d. T he r e f or e , i n a f a m i l y, e a c h m e m be r ne e ds t o c ont r i but e t he i r
s t r e ngt hs , a s w e l l a s r e s pe c t a nd s uppor t t he s t r e ngt hs of ot he r m e m be r s , i n or de r t o f or m a
ha r m oni ous f a m i l y r e l a t i ons hi p.
I n a ddi t i on, j us t l i ke t hr e a ds c a n be c om e t a ngl e d w he n i nt e r w ove n, pr obl e m s c a n a r i s e i n
f a m i l y r e l a t i ons hi ps . S om e t i m e s m i s unde r s t a ndi ngs , c onf l i c t s , a nd c ont r a di c t i ons c a n oc c ur
a m ong f a m i l y m e m be r s , s i m i l a r t o t a ngl e d t hr e a ds . I t i s i m por t a nt t o a ddr e s s a nd r e s ol ve t he s e
i s s ue s i n a t i m e l y m a nne r , ot he r w i s e t he y c a n be c om e i nc r e a s i ngl y s e ve r e a nd ul t i m a t e l y a f f e c t
t he ha r m ony of t he e nt i r e f a m i l y. H ow e ve r , i f t he s e pr obl e m s c a n be pr om pt l y i de nt i f i e d a nd
r e s ol ve d, m uc h l i ke unt a ngl i ng t a ngl e d t hr e a ds , f a m i l y r e l a t i ons hi ps c a n be c om e e ve n m or e
be a ut i f ul .
F ur t he r m or e , pr oduc i ng s i l k r e qui r e s pr e c i s i on a nd pa t i e nc e , w hi c h i s a l s o s i m i l a r t o
f a m i l y r e l a t i ons hi ps . F a m i l y r e l a t i ons hi ps r e qui r e m e m be r s t o pa t i e nt l y l i s t e n t o, unde r s t a nd, a nd
s uppor t e a c h ot he r , a nd de l i c a t e l y m a na ge t he i r r e l a t i ons hi ps w i t h e a c h ot he r , i n or de r t o
m a i nt a i n ha r m ony. S i l k t hr e a d i s t he m e di um a nd t ool I us e t o de s c r i be c om pl e x f a m i l y
r e l a t i ons hi ps . T he i nt e r w e a vi ng a nd i nt e r a c t i on of s i l k t hr e a ds i s s i m i l a r t o t he i nt e r de pe nde nc e
a nd s uppor t a m ong f a m i l y m e m be r s , w hi l e t a ngl e d t hr e a ds a r e s i m i l a r t o t he pr obl e m s t ha t a r i s e
i n f a m i l i e s . I n f a m i l y r e l a t i ons hi ps , w e ne e d t o a ppr oa c h a nd m a i nt a i n t he m w i t h pa t i e nc e a nd
pr e c i s i on, j us t l i ke m a ki ng s i l k, i n or de r t o c r e a t e a ha r m oni ous a nd w a r m hom e . T he r e f or e ,
w e a vi ng ha s be c om e one of t he m a i n f or m s of pr e s e nt a t i on i n m y f i na l pr oj e c t .
16
I n t he a r t pi e c e s of t he s c ul pt or S un C a n
1 1
, a r e d t hr e a d i s c l e ve r l y us e d t o c onne c t t w o
c l oc ks f a c i ng e a c h ot he r , w hi c h be c om e m i r r or i m a ge s w he n t w i s t e d i n oppos i t e di r e c t i ons . T hi s
m a i nl y e xpr e s s e s t he i nt e r c onne c t e dne s s a nd i nt e r w e a vi ng of hum a n f a t e , s how c a s i ng t he
pa s s a ge of t i m e a nd t he ove r l a ppi ng l i ve s of pe opl e . T he c r e a t e d s pa c e i s ne a t a nd c onc i s e , a nd
t he r e d t hr e a d s t a nds out i n t he s now y w hi t e s pa c e , r e s e m bl i ng t he i nt e r c onne c t e d ve i ns of
hum a n be i ngs .
F i gur e 4 . “ C r os s e d D e s t i ni e s ” by Sun C an i n L ondon R oy al C ol l e ge of A r t
T he de ve l opm e nt of a c hi l d' s pe r s ona l i t y i s de t e r m i ne d by t he e duc a t i ona l m e t hods a nd
gr ow t h e nvi r onm e nt f r om a n e a r l y a ge . I n or de r t o pr e ve nt c hi l dr e n f r om doubt i ng t he i r ow n s e l f -
1 1
S un C a n, bor n i n S ha ndong, C hi na i n 1992, gr a dua t e d f r om t he R oya l C ol l e ge of A r t i n 2022 w i t h a m a s t e r ' s de gr e e a nd now
l i ve s a nd w or ks i n L ondon. F ol l ow i ng t he c r e a t i on t r a di t i on of r e a dy- m a de m a t e r i a l s i n a r t hi s t or y, he t a ke s or di na r y t hi ngs t ha t
a r e e a s y t o be i gnor e d a s t he s ym bol i c l a ngua ge of hi s s pi r i t ua l s i gni f i e r . B y t r a ns f or m i ng or r e c om bi ni ng t he s e da i l y obj e c t s , he
gi ve s t he m a f a c e t ha t i s bot h pl a yf ul a nd hum or ous a nd c ol d a nd obj e c t i ve . S un C a n t a ke s t hi s oppor t uni t y t o e xpr e s s hi s a bs ur d
f e e l i ngs t ow a r ds t he w or l d, r e c ogni t i on a nd r e s i s t a nc e c oe xi s t .
17
w or t h, I ha ve a l w a ys be l i e ve d t ha t pr e s e r vi ng a c hi l d' s na t ur e i s s om e t hi ng w e m us t nur t ur e .
T he r e f or e , i n m y a r t w or k " S i l kw or m - M e t a m or phos i s ," I us e d s i l k a s t he m e di um of de s i gn. S i l k
i s t ough i n t e xt ur e , w i t h a de l i c a t e a nd s m oot h f e e l , j us t l i ke t he pr e c i ous na t ur e of a c hi l d t ha t i s
s t r ong a nd not s uppr e s s e d. I us e d t he m e t a phor of s i l k a nd a c hi l d' s na t ur e t o de s c r i be how s i l k i s
c a r e f ul l y w ove n f r om s i l kw or m c oc oons , a nd c hi l dr e n a r e nur t ur e d a nd e duc a t e d w i t h w a r m t h
a nd c a r e f r om t he i r f a m i l i e s . S i l k r e qui r e s va r i ous c om pl e x pr oc e s s i ng pr oc e dur e s , a nd c hi l dr e n
a l s o ne e d t o r e c e i ve di f f e r e nt f or m s of e duc a t i on a nd t r a i ni ng i n t he i r f a m i l i e s t o gr ow i nt o
va l ua bl e a nd m e a ni ngf ul i ndi vi dua l s .
S i l k a nd t he na t ur e of c hi l dr e n a l s o ha ve m a ny s i m i l a r i t i e s . F or e xa m pl e , s i l k r e qui r e s
pa t i e nt a nd c a r e f ul c a r e , j us t l i ke c hi l dr e n ne e d l ove a nd a t t e nt i on f r om t he i r f a m i l i e s ; s i l k ne e ds
t o be c ont i nuous l y pr oc e s s e d a nd i m pr ove d t o be c om e m or e e xqui s i t e , j us t l i ke c hi l dr e n ne e d t o
c ont i nuous l y l e a r n a nd gr ow t o be c om e be t t e r ; t he va l ue of s i l k l i e s i n i t s s c a r c i t y a nd
pr e c i ous ne s s , a nd t he va l ue of c hi l dr e n l i e s i n t he i r uni que ne s s a nd i ndi vi dua l i t y.
T he r e f or e , t he r e a r e m a ny s i m i l a r i t i e s be t w e e n s i l k a nd t he na t ur e of c hi l dr e n, bot h of
w hi c h r e qui r e c a r e f ul nur t ur i ng a nd c ul t i va t i on t o br i ng out t he i r be s t qua l i t i e s .
I n or de r t o e m body t hi s c onc e pt m or e vi vi dl y, I ha ve c hos e n t o us e s pe c i a l a nd pr e c i ous
s i l k a s a m or e a c c ur a t e m e di um of e xpr e s s i on. S i l k i s a m a t e r i a l t ha t i s c l os e l y r e l a t e d t o na t ur e ,
or i gi na t i ng f r om a ni m a l s - s i l kw or m s . S i l kw or m c oc oons a r e bot h a s a nc t ua r y f or nur t ur i ng ne w
l i f e , pr ot e c t i ng t he l a r va e f r om e xt e r na l da nge r s , a s w e l l a s a s ha c kl e a nd obs t a c l e t ha t hi nde r s
t he f ur t he r gr ow t h a nd m a t ur i t y of t he l a r va e . T he l a r va e m us t r e l y on t he i r ow n s t r e ngt h t o br e a k
f r e e f r om t he c ons t r a i nt s of t he c oc oon i n or de r t o e m e r ge a s a but t e r f l y a nd e m br a c e a m or e
be a ut i f ul a nd br oa de r w or l d. S i l k e m bodi e s bot h t he i nhe r i t a nc e a nd pr ot e c t i on of t he f a m i l y, a s
18
w e l l a s t he obs t a c l e s a nd c ha l l e nge s t o f r e e de ve l opm e nt . J us t l i ke t he ne w ge ne r a t i on w ho w a nt s
t o br e a k f r e e f r om t he s e di s r e s pe c t f ul i de a s a nd t he l ong- s t a ndi ng " m or a l c ons t r a i nt s " .
M e a nw hi l e , t he c ul t i va t i ng a nd s pi nni ng of s i l k i s a l s o a t r a di t i ona l m a t e r i a l t ha t ha s be e n
us e d i n C hi na f or t hous a nds of ye a r s . T r a di t i ona l s e r i c ul t ur e a nd s i l k- m a ki ng t e c hni que s a r e
a nc i e nt a nd gr e a t i nve nt i ons of C hi na , c a r r yi ng c ul t ur a l s ym bol s
1 2
. I n 2009, t he y w e r e i nc l ude d
i n t he R e pr e s e nt a t i ve L i s t of t he I nt a ngi bl e C ul t ur a l H e r i t a ge of H um a ni t y
1 3
. T he t r a di t i ona l s i l k-
m a k i n g p r o c e s s i s c o m p l i c a t e d , i n c l u d i n g m u l b e r r y c u l t i v a t i o n , s i l k w o r m r e a r i n g , s i l k p r o d u c t i o n ,
t hr e a d m a ki ng, f a br i c de s i gn, a nd w e a vi ng. I n m y de s i gn, s i l k pr oduc t i on i s di vi de d i nt o t w o
t ype s : r a w
s i l k a nd pr oc e s s e d s i l k, a l t hough t he y bot h c om e f r om s i l kw or m c oc oons . R a w s i l k i s
u n c o o k e d c o c o o n s , w h i l e p r o c e s s e d s i l k r e q u i r e s h i g h t e m p e r a t u r e s t e a m i n g a n d i s s o f t a n d d e n s e .
T he y ha ve ve r y di f f e r e nt t e xt ur e s a nd c a n e ve n be di s t i ngui s he d by t he na ke d e ye . R a w s i l k a nd
pr oc e s s e d s i l k a r e t w o di f f e r e nt s t a t e s of s i l k f i be r s , a nd t he i r pr ope r t i e s a nd us e s a r e a l s o
di f f e r e nt .
R a w s i l k i s f r e s h s i l k e xt r a c t e d f r om s i l kw or m c oc oons . A f t e r be i ng he a t e d a nd
de gum m e d, i m pur i t i e s a nd f a t s i n t he c oc oons a r e r e m ove d, l e a vi ng be hi nd pur e s i l k f i be r s . R a w
s i l k ha s a s of t t e xt ur e , hi gh l us t e r , a nd good br e a t ha bi l i t y, but i t a l s o ha s s om e dr a w ba c ks s uc h a s
l ow s t r e ngt h, e a s y br e a ka ge , a nd s us c e pt i bi l i t y t o di s c ol or a t i on w he n e xpos e d t o m oi s t ur e . R a w
s i l k i s us ua l l y us e d t o m a ke l i ght w e i ght c l ot hi ng, unde r w e a r , s i l k s c a r ve s , a nd duve t c ove r s .
1 2
“ U N E S C O ' s I nt a ngi bl e C ul t ur a l H e r i t a ge L i s t . ” 中国入选联合国教科文组织非物质文化遗产名录项目 - 中国非物质文化
遗产网. A c c e s s e d M a r c h 8, 2023. ht t ps : / / w w w .i hc hi na .c n/ c hi na di r e c t or y.ht m l .
1 3
C h i n a ' s n a t i o n a l l i s t c l a s s i f i e s i n t a n g i b l e c u l t u r a l h e r i t a g e i n t o t e n c a t e g o r i e s : f o l k l i t e r a t u r e , t r a d i t i o n a l m u s i c , t r a d i t i o n a l d a n c e ,
t r a di t i ona l dr a m a , f ol k a r t , t r a di t i ona l s por t s , e nt e r t a i nm e nt a nd a c r oba t i c s , t r a di t i ona l a r t s , t r a di t i ona l a r t s , t r a di t i ona l m e di c i ne ,
a nd f ol k c us t om s . E a c h r e pr e s e nt a t i ve pr oj e c t ha s i t s ow n pr oj e c t num be r . B y A ugus t 2022, T he S t a t e C ounc i l ha d a nnounc e d
1,557 r e pr e s e nt a t i ve na t i ona l i nt a ngi bl e c ul t ur a l he r i t a ge pr oj e c t s i n f i ve ba t c he s .
19
D e gum m e d s i l k, a l s o know n a s pr oc e s s e d or c ul t i va t e d s i l k, i s s i l k f i be r t ha t ha s
unde r gone c he m i c a l t r e a t m e nt . T ypi c a l l y, r a w s i l k i s s oa ke d i n a n a l ka l i ne s ol ut i on t o r e m ove t he
gum a nd c ol or pi gm e nt s f r om t he s i l k, m a ki ng i t m or e pur e , r e s i l i e nt , dur a bl e , a nd e nha nc i ng i t s
l us t e r a nd s of t ne s s . D e gum m e d s i l k i s us ua l l y us e d t o m a ke hi gh- e nd s i l k ga r m e nt s , be ddi ng, a nd
de c or a t i ons .
T he pr oduc t i on of s i l k t e xt i l e s i s a n a nc i e nt a nd uni que ha ndi c r a f t . C hoos i ng t he c oc oons
i s a pa t i e nt pr oc e s s , w he r e l ow - qua l i t y or f l a w e d c oc oons m us t be di s t i ngui s he d f r om t he r e s t .
T he s e c a r e f ul l y s e l e c t e d hi gh- qua l i t y c oc oons ne e d t o be s t e a m e d a t hi gh t e m pe r a t ur e s a nd t he n
s oa ke d i n w a t e r f or s i l k e xt r a c t i on. A f t e r t he de l i c a t e s i l k e xt r a c t i on pr oc e s s , t he ul t r a - f i ne s i l k
t hr e a ds ne e d t o be w ound ont o a s pi ndl e unt i l t he y f or m a s pi nna bl e s ke i n. T hi s s ke i n i s t he n f e d
i nt o a w e a vi ng m a c hi ne , w hi c h c a n c om bi ne t he s i l k t hr e a ds i nt o t he a ppr opr i a t e s ha pe a nd s i z e .
I n or de r t o c r e a t e m or e c ol or s a nd pa t t e r ns t o e xpr e s s t he c om pl e xi t y of f a m i l y r e l a t i ons hi ps , I
a l s o us e di f f e r e nt c ol or e d t hr e a ds dur i ng t he w e a vi ng pr oc e s s .
O nc e t he s i l k t e xt i l e pr oduc t i on i s c om pl e t e d, t he s i l k pr oduc t s us ua l l y ne e d t o unde r go
w a s hi ng a nd dye i ng pr oc e s s e s t o e ns ur e t he i r qua l i t y a nd dur a bi l i t y. D ye i ng i s t ypi c a l l y c a r r i e d
out i n w a r m w a t e r t o a l l ow t he pi gm e nt t o pe ne t r a t e t he s i l k f i be r s m or e e f f e c t i ve l y. A f t e r w a r ds ,
t he s i l k t e xt i l e pr oduc t s r e qui r e r i ns i ng, w a t e r r e m ova l , a nd dr yi ng pr oc e s s e s t o br i ng t he m t o
t he i r f i na l s t a t e .
I n t he pr oc e s s of m a ki ng s i l k t e xt i l e s , f i ne c r a f t s m a ns hi p a nd s ki l l s a r e r e qui r e d t o e ns ur e
t ha t t he pr oduc e d w or ks ha ve hi gh qua l i t y a nd be a ut i f ul a ppe a r a nc e . A l t hough m ode r n m a c hi ne
t e c hnol ogy c a n s pe e d up t he w e a vi ng pr oc e s s , i n s om e c a s e s , m a nua l c r a f t s m a ns hi p i s s t i l l
ne e de d t o c r e a t e uni que e f f e c t s a nd pa t t e r ns . T he s e s i l k t e xt i l e s a r e not onl y gor ge ous w or ks of
20
a r t , but a l s o s ym bol s of c ul t ur a l he r i t a ge a nd t r a di t i ona l ha ndi c r a f t s . T he y a r e a l s o a s ym bol of
t he a r t i s t r y pa s s e d dow n f r om m y m ot he r t o m y f a m i l y.
F i gur e 5 . P r oc e s s of s i l k m ak i ng
T hi s de s i gn pr oj e c t a i m s t o c onve y t he c onc e pt of he a l t hy f a m i l y r e l a t i ons hi ps t hr ough
m a t e r i a l s a nd t he pr oduc t i on pr oc e s s . S i l k t hr e a d i s w ove n f r om c ount l e s s s m a l l s i l k f i be r s , e a c h
t hr e a d ha vi ng i t s ow n di r e c t i on a nd t e xt ur e . H ow e ve r , i n t he w e a vi ng pr oc e s s , t he y a r e a bl e t o
21
t i ght l y c om bi ne t o f or m be a ut i f ul pa t t e r ns a nd de s i gns . T he s e c ol or e d bl oc ks c ons t i t ut e a
m e di t a t i on, s e r vi ng t o a l l e vi a t e f e e l i ngs of s or r ow a nd r e l i e ve m e nt a l pr e s s ur e . T hi s i s s i m i l a r t o
c o m p l e x f a m i l y r e l a t i o n s h i p s . E a c h m e m b e r o f a f a m i l y h a s t h e i r o w n p e r s o n a l i t y , h o b b i e s , i d e a s ,
a nd pur s ui t s . B ut i n t he pr oc e s s of l i vi ng a nd ge t t i ng a l ong, t he y ne e d t o c oor di na t e , unde r s t a nd,
a nd s uppor t e a c h ot he r t o f or m a ha r m oni ous a nd s t a bl e f a m i l y r e l a t i ons hi p. J us t l i ke t he
i nt e r w e a vi ng of s i l k t hr e a ds , f a m i l y m e m be r s a l s o ne e d t o i nt e r w e a ve a nd bl e nd w i t h e a c h ot he r
t o c r e a t e a ha ppy f a m i l y l i f e t oge t he r . A t t he s a m e t i m e , w e a vi ng s i l k t hr e a ds r e qui r e s s ki l l a nd
pa t i e nc e , ne e di ng c a r e f ul c om bi ng a nd w e a vi ng. T hi s i s s i m i l a r t o m a i nt a i ni ng f a m i l y
r e l a t i ons hi ps , w hi c h r e qui r e s c ons t a nt c om m uni c a t i on, ne got i a t i on, unde r s t a ndi ng, a nd t ol e r a nc e
i n da i l y l i f e t o m a i nt a i n a good f a m i l y r e l a t i ons hi p.
F i gur e 6 . " Si l k w or m - M e t am or phos i s " P r oj e c t , R aw Si l k , D e t ai l
22
F i gur e 7 . " Si l k w or m - M e t am or phos i s " P r oj e c t , R aw Si l k , F ul l
T he c onc e pt of a he a l t hy f a m i l y i s not a bout oppr e s s i on a nd obe di e nc e , but a bout e qua l i t y
a nd c om m uni c a t i on. I t i s i m por t a nt t o unde r s t a nd a nd r e s pe c t c hi l dr e n' s t hought s a nd c hoi c e s .
T he s i l kw or m c oc oon s ym bol i z e s t he f a m i l y, a nd t he de s i r e of t he s i l k t o ha ve i t s ow n
i nde pe nde nt t hought s a nd c ons c i ous ne s s r e pr e s e nt s t he de s i r e of c hi l dr e n t o br e a k f r e e f r om t he
c ons t r a i nt s of t he f a m i l y, r a t he r t ha n be i ng bur de ne d by e xc e s s i ve pr ot e c t i on f r om t he f a m i l y.
D ye i ng t he s i l k t hr e a ds c a n be c om pa r e d t o t he di f f e r e nt pe r s ona l i t i e s , i de a l s , a nd hobbi e s of
c hi l dr e n. T he i nt e r w e a vi ng of di f f e r e nt c ol or e d s i l ks i nt o f a br i c r e pr e s e nt s t he f r e e e xpl or a t i on
a nd de ve l opm e nt of c hi l dr e n, c r e a t i ng ne w i ns pi r a t i ons a nd i de a s , a nd not s uppr e s s i ng c hi l dr e n' s
na t ur e . A t t he s a m e t i m e , t he pr oc e s s of di f f e r e nt s i l k t hr e a ds w e a vi ng " c r os s i ng" c a n a l s o be
s e e n a s m ut ua l unde r s t a ndi ng a nd t ol e r a nc e be t w e e n pa r e nt s a nd c hi l dr e n. T hr ough c ol l i s i on a nd
i nt e r w e a vi ng, a m or e ha r m oni ous , e qua l , a nd di ve r s e f a m i l y r e l a t i ons hi p c a n be c r e a t e d, m a ki ng
t he c onne c t i on be t w e e n pa r e nt s a nd c hi l dr e n t i ght e r a nd i ns e pa r a bl e .
23
F i gur e 8 . " Si l k w or m - M e t am or phos i s " P r oj e c t , C ook e d s i l k and R aw s i l k
24
C h ap t e r 5: C om b i n at i on - B al an c e
K ni t t i ng i t s e l f i s a pr oc e s s of " s e w i ng a nd r e pa i r i ng" . D i f f e r e nt kni t t i ng t e c hni que s c a n
c r e a t e di f f e r e nt s t yl e s a nd a r r a nge m e nt s , a nd t he w a ve - l i ke m ove m e nt s of t he s e di f f e r e nt
t e c hni que s c a n a f f e c t pe opl e ' s vi s ua l a nd t a c t i l e s e ns e s .
J a pa ne s e i ns t a l l a t i on a r t i s t N obuhi r o N a ka ni s hi ' s
1 4
w or ks m a i nl y de pi c t / c a pt ur e t he
pr oc e s s of da i l y l i f e a nd t he c ha nge s i n t i m e . H e i s s ki l l e d i n us i ng r e gul a r phot ogr a phy, pr i nt i ng
on t r a ns pa r e nt f i l m , a nd a r r a ngi ng t he m i n c hr onol ogi c a l or de r . H e be l i e ve s t ha t w e a r e a l l
l i m i t e d by t he pa s s a ge of t i m e , but pe opl e s houl d f e e l a nd r e c ogni z e t i m e t ha t ha s no s ha pe or
bounda r y i n t he i r ow n w a y. T hr ough na t ur a l a nd l i f e c ha nge s , s uc h a s a gi ng t r e e s a nd f l ow i ng
c l ouds , he e xpr e s s e s t he pa s s a ge of t i m e a nd por t r a ys t i m e a nd s pa c e a s a s ha r e d f e e l i ng be t w e e n
t he a udi e nc e a nd t he a r t i s t . W ha t i nt e r e s t s m e i s hi s w a y of pr e s e nt i ng hi s w or ks a nd t he m e di um
- s pa t i a l i ns t a l l a t i on.
F i gur e 9 . L ay e r D r aw i ng - L i ght of f or e s t i nk j e t pr i nt on f i l m , ac r y l i c pl as t i c , 30.5 × 198 × 33c m ( 30s he e t s ) , 2014
W ha t i m pr e s s e d m e t he m os t a bout N a ka ni s hi ' s w or k i s hi s us e of a r r a nge m e nt t o e xpr e s s
c ha nge s i n s t a ge s . T he r e f or e , i n m y de s i gn " I nt e r w e a vi ng of c ha nge s ," I us e d l a s e r - c ut a c r yl i c
boa r ds a s a s pe c i a l m a t e r i a l . T he hi ghl y t r a ns pa r e nt na t ur e of a c r yl i c boa r ds c a n r e f r a c t na t ur a l
1 4
N obuhi r o N a ka ni s hi ｜中西信洋 . A c c e s s e d F e br ua r y 10, 2023. ht t p: / / nobuhi r ona ka ni s hi .c om / .
25
l i ght w e l l , a nd t he i nt e r w e a vi ng of s e m i - t r a ns pa r e nt a nd c ol or e d t hr e a ds s e w n t oge t he r c a n gi ve
pe opl e a de e pe r vi s ua l e xpe r i e nc e . I n t hi s w or k, I m a i nl y us e vi s ua l a nd t a c t i l e s e ns e s t o
s how c a s e t he c onne c t i ons be t w e e n di f f e r e nt e m ot i ons a nd s t a ge s i n f a m i l y r e l a t i ons hi ps . I us e
f i ve 12x12 i nc h a c r yl i c boa r ds w i t h pe ne t r a t i on a nd di f f e r e nt t hr e a d s t yl e s t o e xpr e s s t he
uni que ne s s a nd e xpa ns i ve ne s s of f a m i l y r e l a t i ons hi ps . A c r yl i c i s a t r a ns pa r e nt pl a s t i c m a t e r i a l
w i t h out s t a ndi ng s t r e ngt h, s t i f f ne s s , a nd opt i c a l c l a r i t y.
F i gur e 10. L ay e r D r aw i ng - C l oud / F og i nk j e t pr i nt on f i l m , 100 × 100c m ( 100s he e t s ) , 2005
F i gur e 11 . L ay e r D r aw i ng - L i ght of s unr i s e 1 i nk j e t pr i nt on f i l m , ac r y l i c pl as t i c , 28.5 × 198 × 31c m ( 30s he e t s ) , 2012
C hoos i ng a c r yl i c boa r d a s t he m e di um i s not onl y be c a us e i t ha s out s t a ndi ng s t r e ngt h,
s t i f f ne s s , a nd opt i c a l c l a r i t y, but a l s o be c a us e a c r yl i c boa r d i s a m ode r n m a t e r i a l w i t h a m ode r n
26
s pi r i t a nd c ol or . M a ny pe opl e a s s oc i a t e i t w i t h t e c hnol ogy i nt e gr a t i on or us e i t a s a m i ni m a l i s t
m ode r n hom e a nd f a s hi on di s pl a y boa r d. O n t he ot he r ha nd, ne e dl e w or k de s i gn ha s a hi s t or y of
t hous a nds of ye a r s i n C hi na . T hi s m e di um w i t h r e pr e s e nt a t i ve c ha r a c t e r i s t i c s of di f f e r e nt e r a s i s
l i ke a c ol l i s i on be t w e e n t he pa s t a nd t he pr e s e nt . I n t he pr oc e s s of w or ki ng on t hi s pr oj e c t , i t
i ndi r e c t l y br ought m e c l os e r c om m uni c a t i on a nd c onne c t i on w i t h m y ow n f a m i l y. I e nj oy
w or ki ng w i t h a c r yl i c , w hi l e m y m ot he r i s m or e pr of e s s i ona l i n ne e dl e w or k.
F i gur e 1 2 . Show i ng r e f l e c t i ons unde r day l i ght
I c om bi ne a nc i e nt s i l k a r t w i t h e m e r gi ng a c r yl i c m a t e r i a l , hopi ng t o c r e a t e s t unni ng
a r t i s t i c e f f e c t s a nd de e pe r m e a ni ngs . T hi s c om bi na t i on r e pr e s e nt s a di a l ogue a nd f us i on be t w e e n
t r a di t i on a nd m ode r ni t y, c onve yi ng t he va l ue s of c ul t ur a l he r i t a ge a nd i nnova t i on. T hi s a l s o bl ur s
t he bounda r i e s be t w e e n t r a di t i ona l c r a f t s m a ns hi p a nd a r t .
C om bi ni ng t r a di t i ona l s i l k m a t e r i a l w i t h m ode r n a c r yl i c m a t e r i a l c a n s how c a s e uni que
a nd c onf l i c t i ng vi s ua l e f f e c t s . T he s of t ne s s , l us t e r , a nd w a r m t h of s i l k c ont r a s t s t r ongl y w i t h t he
t r a ns pa r e nc y, c ool ne s s , a nd hi gh- t e c h f e e l of a c r yl i c , c r e a t i ng a ve r y s pe c i a l a r t i s t i c e f f e c t . T hi s
c ont r a s t i s not l i m i t e d t o t he vi s ua l a s pe c t a l one , but a l s o e xt e nds t o t he e xpe r i e nc e of t e xt ur e ,
t ouc h, a nd ot he r a s pe c t s , w hi c h t oge t he r br i ng ne w s e ns or y e xpe r i e nc e s t o t he a udi e nc e .
27
F i gur e 13. P r oc e s s of l as e r c ut t i ng
S e c ondl y, c om bi ni ng s i l k a nd a c r yl i c m a t e r i a l s a l s o r e pr e s e nt s a di a l ogue a nd f us i on
be t w e e n t r a di t i on a nd m ode r ni t y. S i l k i s a m a t e r i a l w i t h a l ong hi s t or y a nd s t r ong t i e s t o C hi ne s e
c ul t ur e a nd hi s t or y. O n t he ot he r ha nd, a c r yl i c i s a m ode r n t e c hnol ogi c a l m a t e r i a l t ha t e m e r ge d
w i t h i ndus t r i a l i z a t i on a nd t e c hnol ogi c a l pr ogr e s s . B y c om bi ni ng t he s e t w o m a t e r i a l s , i t ' s l i ke a
di a l ogue a nd f us i on be t w e e n t r a di t i on a nd m ode r ni t y, c onve yi ng a c ul t ur a l he r i t a ge a nd
i nnova t i on va l ue s . A t t he s a m e t i m e , t hi s f us i on a l s o r e pr e s e nt s t he a r t i s t ' s e xpl or a t i on a nd
unde r s t a ndi ng of di f f e r e nt c ul t ur e s a nd hi s t or i e s .
F ur t he r m or e , c om bi ni ng t r a di t i ona l a nd e m e r gi ng m a t e r i a l s c a n i ns pi r e pe opl e t o
c ont e m pl a t e t he r e l a t i ons hi p be t w e e n t r a di t i ona l c ul t ur e a nd m ode r n s oc i e t y. I n c ont e m por a r y
s oc i e t y, pe opl e of t e n f a c e c onf l i c t s a nd c ont r a di c t i ons be t w e e n t r a di t i on a nd m ode r ni t y, c ul t ur e
a nd t e c hnol ogy. H ow e ve r , by c om bi ni ng a nc i e nt a nd e m e r gi ng m a t e r i a l s , a r t i s t s c a n s how
28
a udi e nc e s a ne w pe r s pe c t i ve a nd s ol ut i on. T hi s f us i on not onl y r e s pe c t s a nd pr ot e c t s t r a di t i ona l
c ul t ur e , but a l s o e xpl or e s a nd de ve l ops m ode r n t e c hnol ogy.
F i gur e 14. F i nal de s i gn of “ C om bi nat i on- B al anc e ” pr oj e c t
T he c om bi na t i on of a nc i e nt a nd e m e r gi ng m a t e r i a l s a l s o e xpr e s s e s m y va l ue s of c ul t ur a l
i nhe r i t a nc e a nd i nnova t i on f r om a not he r pe r s pe c t i ve . T hi s f us i on not onl y he l ps t o i ns pi r e our
t hi nki ng a bout t he r e l a t i ons hi p be t w e e n t r a di t i ona l c ul t ur e a nd m ode r n s oc i e t y, but a l s o br i ngs
ne w pos s i bi l i t i e s a nd di r e c t i ons f or t he de ve l opm e nt of c ont e m por a r y a r t . T hr ough t he
c om bi na t i on of t he s e m a t e r i a l s , a s a r t i s t s , w e c a n s e e k a ba l a nc e a nd i nnova t i on be t w e e n
t r a di t i on a nd m ode r ni t y, c ul t ur e a nd t e c hnol ogy, a nd c r e a t e ne w c ul t ur a l c ont e xt s a nd vi s ua l
e xpe r i e nc e s , w hi l e a l s o pr om ot i ng c om m uni c a t i on a nd di a l ogue be t w e e n di f f e r e nt c ul t ur e s a nd
hi s t or i e s . T he r e f or e , t hi s c om bi na t i on of a nc i e nt a nd e m e r gi ng m a t e r i a l s i s not onl y a pe r s ona l
c r e a t i ve s t yl e a nd e xpr e s s i on t e c hni que , but a l s o ha s de e pe r c ul t ur a l a nd s oc i a l s i gni f i c a nc e .
29
T e x t i l e a r t i s n o t j u s t a c r a f t o r a s y n o n y m f o r " a n c i e n t t i m e s " . I t i s o n e o f m a n y a r t m e d i a .
L i ke t he w or ks of t e xt i l e a r t i s t A nni A l be r s , w i f e of J os e f A l be r s , s he bl ur s t he bounda r i e s
be t w e e n t r a di t i ona l c r a f t s a nd a r t . H e r de s i gn phi l os ophy de e pl y i nf l ue nc e d m y unde r s t a ndi ng
a nd us e of t e xt i l e pa t t e r ns , t hr ough r e a di ng O n W e av i ng , N e w E xpa nde d E di t i on by A nni
A l be r s
1 5
. H e r w or ks de m ons t r a t e t ha t t e xt i l e s c a n be m or e t ha n j us t f unc t i ona l obj e c t s ; t he y c a n
a l s o be a n a r t f or m . H e r de s i gn i ns pi r a t i on c om e s f r om t he c ha r a c t e r i s t i c s a nd t e xt ur e s of t e xt i l e
m a t e r i a l s , a s w e l l a s t he a ppl i c a t i on of t r a di t i ona l t e xt i l e t e c hni que s . B y c l e ve r l y c om bi ni ng l i ne s ,
c ol or s , a nd m a t e r i a l s , s he c r e a t e s uni que t e xt i l e pa t t e r ns , br e a ki ng t he l i m i t a t i ons of t r a di t i ona l
t e xt i l e s .
A l be r s ' de s i gn phi l os ophy ha s i ns pi r e d m e t o e xpl or e t he us e of t e xt i l e pa t t e r ns i n m y
a r t w or k. I ha ve s t a r t e d t o e xpe r i m e nt w i t h di f f e r e nt m a t e r i a l s a nd t e c hni que s t o c r e a t e pa t t e r ns
a nd t e xt ur e s t ha t r e s e m bl e t e xt i l e s . I ha ve a l s o a dopt e d A l be r s ' c r e a t i ve pr oc e s s , c ont i nua l l y
e xpe r i m e nt i ng a nd e xpl or i ng ne w pos s i bi l i t i e s . I n m y a r t w or k, t e xt i l e pa t t e r ns s e r ve not onl y a
de c or a t i ve pur pos e but a l s o c onve y e m ot i ona l a nd c ul t ur a l i nf or m a t i on r e l a t e d t o t e xt i l e s .
I ha ve a l w a ys r e ga r de d t he " t hr e a d" i n m y w or k a s a t ool a nd br i dge c onne c t i ng m e a nd
m y f a m i l y, e m pha s i z i ng t he m ut ua l c onne c t i ons a nd de pe nde nc i e s a m ong f a m i l y m e m be r s . J us t
a s m a ki ng s i l k r e qui r e s t he us e of s i l k t hr e a d a s a t ool , f a m i l y m e m be r s a l s o ne e d t o
c om m uni c a t e t o e xc ha nge a nd unde r s t a nd e a c h ot he r . S i l k t hr e a d, a s a t ool , ne e ds t o be t r e a t e d
w e l l a nd m a i nt a i ne d t o a c hi e ve i t s m a xi m um e f f e c t i ve ne s s . S i m i l a r l y, c om m uni c a t i on w i t hi n a
f a m i l y ne e ds t o be va l ue d a nd m a i nt a i ne d i n or de r t o e s t a bl i s h good f a m i l y r e l a t i ons hi ps .
T he i m por t a nc e of t hr e a d i n t e xt i l e a r t i s not j us t i t s f unc t i on of c onne c t i ng di f f e r e nt
t hr e a ds s ym bol i z e d a s a br i dge , i t a l s o s ym bol i z e s t he c onne c t i ons a nd de pe nde nc i e s be t w e e n
1 5
A l be r s , A nni . O n W e av i ng . N e w E xpa nde d E d. P r i nc e t on U ni ve r s i t y P r e s s , 2017.
30
f a m i l y m e m be r s . W he n di f f e r e nt t hr e a ds a r e w ove n t oge t he r , t he y be c om e s t r onge r , j us t l i ke t he
c onne c t i ons be t w e e n f a m i l y m e m be r s . I n a ddi t i on, t hr e a d c a n a l s o be us e d t o f i l l i n de f e c t s a nd
r e pa i r da m a ge d f a br i c s , w hi c h i m pl i e s t he i m por t a nc e of f a m i l y m e m be r s r e pa i r i ng a nd m a ki ng
up f or e a c h ot he r ' s m i s t a ke s . T hr ough t hi s , t e xt i l e a r t c a n be c om e a f or m of e xpr e s s i ng f a m i l y
r e l a t i ons hi ps a nd i nt i m a c y, w hi l e a l s o r e m i ndi ng us t o m a i nt a i n c om m uni c a t i on a nd
unde r s t a ndi ng i n f a m i l y l i f e .
I s e e s i l k t hr e a d a s a t ool a nd a br i dge f or c om m uni c a t i on w i t hi n t he f a m i l y, a nd t hr ough
m y d e s i g n s , I e x p r e s s a n d i n t e r p r e t t h e i n t e r d e p e n d e n c e a n d c o n n e c t i o n b e t w e e n f a m i l y m e m b e r s .
J us t l i ke how s i l k t hr e a d ne e ds t o be m a i nt a i ne d a nd c a r e d f or , f a m i l y m e m be r s ne e d t o m a i nt a i n
a nd de ve l op t he i r r e l a t i ons hi ps w i t h e a c h ot he r i n or de r t o bui l d a ha r m oni ous a nd w a r m f a m i l y.
T he de s i gn of e a c h a c r yl i c pa ne l r e pr e s e nt s m y f e e l i ngs t ow a r ds di f f e r e nt s t a ge s of f a m i l y
l i f e . S om e t i m e s , w e i nt e r w e a ve pa r a l l e l t o e a c h ot he r w i t hout i nt e r f e r e nc e . O t he r t i m e s , w e
i nf l ue nc e a nd c onf r ont e a c h ot he r s t r ongl y. T he di f f e r e nt c ol or s of t hr e a ds e xpr e s s our
pe r s ona l i t i e s , w a ys of de a l i ng w i t h t hi ngs , a nd di f f e r e nt voi c e s . H ow e ve r , t he f i na l pi c t ur e w i l l
be i nt e r w ove n w i t h ba l a nc e , w hi c h i s w ha t w e s houl d va l ue a nd m a i nt a i n i n our f a m i l y l i f e -
he a l t hy a nd ba l a nc e d r e l a t i ons hi ps .
T hi s ba l a nc e i s di f f i c ul t t o a c hi e ve i n A s i a n c ul t ur e s f or t w o r e a s ons . F i r s t , C onf uc i a ni s m ,
w hi c h ha s m a ny r i t ua l s r e ga r di ng s e ni or i t y, m os t not a bl y t he obl i ga t i on t o obe y one ' s pa r e nt s ,
pl a c e s gr e a t e m pha s i s on r e s pe c t f or a nd t he s t a t us of e l de r s i n t he f a m i l y. C hi l dr e n ha ve no r i ght
t o oppos e t he i r pa r e nt s ' w i s he s a nd m us t obe y t he m . S e c ond, pa r e nt s ' obs e s s i on w i t h ha vi ng a
s on. O r i gi na l l y, i n r ur a l a r e a s , ha vi ng a s on w a s s e e n a s a r e l i a nc e on bot h e c onom i c a nd l i ne a ge
i nhe r i t a nc e . D ue t o l e s s a dva nc e d i de a s , c ul t ur e , a nd e c onom y, t he y be l i e ve d t ha t t he va l ue of
ha vi ng a s on w a s m uc h hi ghe r t ha n t ha t of ha vi ng a da ught e r . T he r e f or e , m a ny r ur a l f a m i l i e s
31
c ont i nue d t o ha ve c hi l dr e n, e ve n i f t he y ha d m ul t i pl e da ught e r s , unt i l t he y ga ve bi r t h t o a s on.
W hi l e t he e c onom i c f a c t or s w e r e f a r m or e i m por t a nt t ha n i de ol ogi c a l one s , t he l a t t e r pl a ye d a
s uppor t i ve r ol e , w hi c h i s w hy t he phe nom e non of pr e f e r r i ng s ons t o da ught e r s s t i l l e xi s t s i n t he
c i t y, e ve n t hough t he s oc i a l s e c ur i t y s ys t e m i s r e l a t i ve l y s ound. T hi s m e nt a l i t y i s not onl y due t o
t he l a c k of s oc i a l s e c ur i t y, but a l s o t he l ong- s t a ndi ng C onf uc i a n t r a di t i on i n C hi na . I n f a c t , t he
C onf uc i a n t r a di t i on w a s de ve l ope d t o he l p t he r ul i ng c l a s s a c hi e ve s t a bl e gove r na nc e by
f or m ul a t i ng a s e t of m or a l a nd e t hi c a l pr i nc i pl e s . T he r e f or e , C onf uc i a ni s m e m pha s i z e s gove r ni ng
t he w or l d w i t h f i l i a l pi e t y, a nd t he f a m i l y pl a ys a r ol e i n s oc i a l s e c ur i t y a nd m a i nt a i ni ng s t a bi l i t y
i n t r a di t i ona l s oc i e t y. I n a gr i c ul t ur a l s oc i e t i e s , m a l e c ont r i but i ons t o f a m i l y e c onom i c pr oduc t i on
w e r e dom i na nt , w hi c h na t ur a l l y l e d t o t he t r a di t i ona l pr e f e r e nc e f or s ons ove r da ught e r s .
C hi ne s e pe opl e of t e n be l i e ve t ha t t he i r c hi l dr e n a nd gr a ndc hi l dr e n a r e e xt e ns i ons of t he i r
ow n l i ve s , w hi c h l e a ds t o a n e xc e s s i ve de vot i on a nd i nve s t m e nt i n t he m . T he y pl a c e t he i r hope s
on f ut ur e ge ne r a t i ons a nd i nt e r f e r e i n t he i r l i f e c hoi c e s a nd pe r s ona l l i ve s , s uc h a s pr e s s ur i ng
t he m t o ge t m a r r i e d a nd ha ve c hi l dr e n. M a l e de s c e nda nt s , s uc h a s s ons a nd gr a nds ons , a r e
pa r t i c ul a r l y i m por t a nt i n C hi ne s e c ul t ur e . G i r l s gr ow i ng up i n s uc h f a m i l i e s m a y f a c e unf a i r
t r e a t m e nt . I t i s not a c c e pt a bl e t o c l a s s i f y c hi l dr e n' s l i ve s a s s upe r i or or i nf e r i or , l e t a l one t o
c ons i de r t he va l ue of boys ' l i ve s t o be s upe r i or t o t ha t of gi r l s . A l t hough t he phe nom e non of
va l ui ng boys ove r gi r l s i n f a m i l i e s ha s i m pr ove d w i t h t he pr ogr e s s a nd de ve l opm e nt of s oc i e t y,
t he i nf l ue nc e of C onf uc i a n a nd C onf uc i us ' i de a s i s s t i l l de e pl y i ngr a i ne d i n C hi ne s e c ul t ur e a nd
di f f i c ul t t o c om pl e t e l y e r a di c a t e .
A c c or di ng t o a ne w s r e por t by T oda y' s H e a dl i ne s on J a nua r y 17t h, 2023, t he C hi ne s e
N a t i ona l B ur e a u of S t a t i s t i c s r e l e a s e d t he e c onom i c da t a f or t he w hol e ye a r of 2022
1 6
, r e ve a l i ng
1 6
T he y a r e r e s pons i bl e f or or ga ni z i ng, l e a di ng, a nd c oor di na t i ng na t i ona l s t a t i s t i c a l w or k t o e ns ur e t ha t s t a t i s t i c s a r e t r ue ,
a c c ur a t e a nd t i m e l y, a c c or di ng t o t he of f i c i a l w e bs i t e of t he N a t i ona l B ur e a u of S t a t i s t i c s .
32
t ha t t he r e a r e 32.37 m i l l i on m or e m a l e s t ha n f e m a l e s i n C hi na . C hi na i s a s upe r pow e r i n t e r m s of
popul a t i on, a nd t he i s s ue of ge nde r i m ba l a nc e i s be c om i ng m or e pr om i ne nt . A s a r e s ul t of
t r a di t i ona l c ul t ur a l be l i e f s , t he r a t i o of m a l e s t o f e m a l e s i n C hi na ha s a l w a ys be e n i m ba l a nc e d.
C hi ne s e pe opl e hol d t he c onc e pt of " c ont i nua t i on of t he f a m i l y l i ne ," w hi c h m e a ns t ha t " a
da ught e r , onc e m a r r i e d, i s l i ke pour i ng w a t e r out of a j ug,"
1 7
a nd w i t hout a s on, t he f a m i l y
l i ne a ge c a nnot be c a r r i e d on, a nd c a nnot be r e c or de d i n t he f a m i l y ge ne a l ogy.
T he i m ba l a nc e of m a l e a nd f e m a l e popul a t i on i s not onl y a num e r i c a l pr obl e m , but a l s o
r e f l e c t s t he l a c k of i m por t a nc e gi ve n t o gi r l s i n f a m i l i e s . R e pr oduc t i on a nd e duc a t i on of of f s pr i ng
s houl d not onl y f oc us on t he ge nde r of t he c hi l d. T he ba l a nc e w e w a nt t o e xpr e s s i s not onl y t he
ba l a nc e of s t a t us be t w e e n pa r e nt s a nd c hi l dr e n, but a l s o t he ba l a nc e d t r e a t m e nt of m ul t i pl e
c hi l dr e n. M y br ot he r ha s a l w a ys r e c e i ve d t he a t t e nt i on a nd i m por t a nc e of t he w hol e f a m i l y, a nd
s i nc e c hi l dhood, I ha ve know n t ha t m y pa r e nt s t r e a t hi m di f f e r e nt l y f r om m e . H ow e ve r , e ve r y
c hi l d' s ne e ds i n t he f a m i l y a r e t he s a m e , a nd ne gl e c t e d c hi l dr e n m a y gr ow up i n unhe a l t hy
f a m i l i e s a nd ha ve pa r t i a l pe r s ona l i t y de f i c i e nc i e s . T hi s " i nt e r w e a vi ng" a nd " ba l a nc e " i s t he
m e s s a ge I w a nt t o c onve y i n m y de s i gn, a nd I be l i e ve t ha t t he s e i s s ue s ne e d t o be s e r i ous l y
a ddr e s s e d, e s pe c i a l l y i n a c ount r y w he r e t he m a l e - f e m a l e popul a t i on i s s o une qua l .
T he f a m i l y ba l a nc e i s s ue s t ha t I be l i e ve ne e d t o be c ha nge d w i l l be e xpr e s s e d t hr ough t he
a r t w or k " C om bi na t i on- B a l a nc e " us i ng a c r yl i c a nd di f f e r e nt f or m s of l i ne s . T he s e di f f e r e nt
c ol or e d l i ne s i nt e r t w i ne w i t h e a c h ot he r , s i gni f yi ng t he ba l a nc e a nd c onf l i c t s a m ong f a m i l y
m e m be r s .
T he s e r e l a t i ons hi ps m a y be ge nt l e a nd uni f i e d, but t he y c a n a l s o be c om pa c t a nd i nt e ns e .
T he s e pr oc e s s e s a r e a l l pa r t of c onve yi ng f a m i l y r e l a t i ons hi ps , w i t h t he a i m of i nt r os pe c t i on a nd
1 7
T hi s i s a n i di om , us ua l l y c onnot e s t ha t onc e a da ught e r ge t s m a r r i e d, he r pa r e nt s w oul d t a ke he r a s a n out s i de r a nd t he y w oul d
not c a r e a bout he r l i f e i n he r i n- l a w ' s f a m i l y a nd w oul d r e f us e t o ge t he r i nvol ve d i n he r pa r e nt s ' bus i ne s s .
33
s e l f - a w a r e ne s s . B e i ng bound by bl ood t i e s , r e l a t i ons hi ps w i t h s t r ong c onf l i c t s a r e not c onduc i ve
t o c om m uni c a t i on be t w e e n bot h pa r t i e s a nd m a y c a us e a f e e l i ng of s uf f oc a t i on. T he t r a ns pa r e nc y
of t he a c r yl i c boa r d r e pr e s e nt s t he or i gi na l i nt e nt i ons of bot h pa r t i e s . I n t he f a m i l y, w e s t i l l pr e f e r
t o be l i e ve t ha t t he e m ot i ons be t w e e n r e l a t i ve s a r e c l e a r , pur e , a nd w e l l - i nt e nt i one d. R e ga r dl e s s ,
t he l i ne s , c ol or s , a nd pa t t e r n de s i gns c r e a t e d by t he a c r yl i c r e pr e s e nt a ba l a nc e i n bot h vi s ua l a nd
s ym bol i c m e a ni ng, m e t a phor i z i ng t he ba l a nc e c r e a t e d i n f a m i l y r e l a t i ons hi ps t o a c hi e ve t he
de f i ni t i on of a e s t he t i c s i n de s i gn. T hi s i s t he i m por t a nc e of ba l a nc e a e s t he t i c s i n de s i gn a nd t he
ne c e s s i t y of e s t a bl i s hi ng a ba l a nc e d f a m i l y r e l a t i ons hi p.
34
C h ap t e r 6: B r e at h i n g i n t e xt i l e k n i t t i n g an d f am i l y r e l at i on s h i p s
S om e of t he i s s ue s t ha t e xi s t i n C hi ne s e f a m i l i e s ne e d t o be a ddr e s s e d by our ne w
ge ne r a t i on of young pe opl e t o be not i c e d by t he s oc i e t y s i nc e t he pr e vi ous ge ne r a t i on m a y not
ha ve t he a w a r e ne s s . A s a r e s ul t of t he c ha ngi ng t i m e s a nd e c onom i c de ve l opm e nt , C hi na i s i n t he
m i ds t of a t r a ns i t i on f r om a t r a di t i ona l s oc i e t y t o a m ode r n one , w hi c h ha s c ha l l e nge d t r a di t i ona l
c ul t ur a l va l ue s a nd be l i e f s w i t hi n f a m i l i e s . T he c onf l i c t i ng va l ue s a nd pe r c e pt i ons be t w e e n
ge ne r a t i ons w i t hi n c ha ngi ng f a m i l i e s m a y be a ke y f a c t or i n t he m e nt a l a nd e m ot i ona l gr ow t h
a nd s e l f - i de nt i t y of young pe opl e . T he r e c ons t r uc t i on of e ga l i t a r i a n f a m i l y r e l a t i ons hi ps i s of
s i gni f i c a nt i m por t a nc e f or t he f or m a t i on of a dol e s c e nt a ut onom y a nd s e l f - e s t e e m . E duc a t i on i n
di f f e r e nt e r a s ha s i nf l ue nc e d e nt i r e ge ne r a t i ons of pe opl e , e ve n young pe opl e i n t he ne xt
ge ne r a t i on. I n C hi na , w he n young pe opl e w e r e gr ow i ng up i n t he 1990s , t he e duc a t i on a nd s oc i a l
r e l a t i ons hi ps of t he i r pa r e nt s ' ge ne r a t i on w e r e us ua l l y pa t r i a r c ha l . I n pa t r i a r c ha l f a m i l i e s , t he y
t ypi c a l l y ha ve a s uc c e s s f ul f a t he r w ho, a l t hough a bs e nt i n c hi l d- r e a r i ng, i s s e e n a s m a ki ng t he
be s t a r r a nge m e nt s f or t he i r c hi l dr e n' s l i ve s , a s de e m e d by s oc i e t y. T he s e f a m i l i e s us ua l l y ha ve
t e ns e pa r e nt a l r e l a t i ons hi ps , but t he m ot he r t e nds t o a dopt a de f a ul t a t t i t ude t ow a r ds he r
hus ba nd' s a ut hor i t y, a nd t he f a t he r i s t he pr i m a r y s our c e of t he f a m i l y' s e c onom y. T hi s i s w hy
f a t he r s a r e not pa r t i c ul a r l y m e m or a bl e i n m y m e m or y, ye t t he y s t i l l a f f e c t t he e nt i r e f a m i l y
dyna m i c . I n s uc h c a s e s , t he r e l a t i ons hi p be t w e e n pa r e nt s a nd c hi l dr e n us ua l l y l a c ks m ut ua l
unde r s t a ndi ng, l i s t e ni ng, e m pa t hy, a nd s uppor t . ( T ong X i n, 2022)
1 8
P a t r i a r c ha l f a m i l y
r e l a t i ons hi ps i ne vi t a bl y l e a d t o a dol e s c e nt c ogni t i on of pa t e r na l a ut hor i t y a nd s e l f - de s t r uc t i ve
r e s i s t a nc e by t he pow e r l e s s . T he r e f or e , t he ke y t o s oc i a l w or k w i t h young pe opl e a nd f a m i l y
s oc i a l w or k i s t o c ha nge pe r c e pt i ons of f a m i l y r e l a t i ons hi p pa t t e r ns a nd pr om ot e a n e ga l i t a r i a n
1 8
T ong X i n i s pr of e s s or a nd doc t or a l s upe r vi s or of t he D e pa r t m e nt of S oc i ol ogy, P e ki ng U ni ve r s i t y, a nd r e s e a r c he r of t he C hi na
R e s e a r c h C e nt e r f or S oc i e t y a nd D e ve l opm e nt , P e ki ng U ni ve r s i t y, B e i j i ng M a r r i a ge a nd F a m i l y R e s e a r c h I ns t i t ut e .
35
f a m i l y r e l a t i ons hi p t ha t f os t e r s di gni f i e d r e l a t i ons hi ps t ha t c a n m ut ua l l y s uppor t e a c h m e m be r of
t he f a m i l y. T he a c t of r e s i s t a nc e i s not m e a nt t o de s t r oy f a m i l y r e l a t i ons hi ps , but t o r e bui l d t he m .
E qua l a nd s uppor t i ve r e l a t i ons hi ps a r e bui l t on t r us t a nd a ut onom y, a l l ow i ng young pe opl e t o
di s pl a y a di gni f i e d, s e l f - r e s pons i bl e , a nd t r us t w or t hy l i f e . T he e s t a bl i s hm e nt of t he pr i nc i pl e of
pe r s ona l a ut onom y i s t he ke y t o s ol vi ng a dol e s c e nt pr obl e m s , i n ot he r w or ds , t o be l i e ve t ha t
young pe opl e ha ve t he a bi l i t y t o a c t f r e e l y a nd i nde pe nde nt l y i n t he i r s oc i a l e nvi r onm e nt .
( A nt hony G i dde ns : M ode r ni t y a nd S e l f - I de nt i t y, S a nl i a n B ooks t or e , 1998, p. 251)
T he c ont r ol of pa t r i a r c hy a nd t he m ot he r ' s t a c i t c ons e nt ha ve i ndi r e c t l y l e d t o t he s e l f -
doubt a nd ne ga t i ve a t t i t ude of c hi l dr e n. I n t he s e w or ks , I m a i nl y f oc us on e xpr e s s i ng t he
c om pl e xi t y of i nt e r r e l a t e d ki ns hi p a nd t he e xpe c t a t i on of c r e a t i ng " a e s t he t i c s " i n t he f a m i l y.
A f t e r c om pl e t i ng t he f i r s t t w o w or ks , I w a nt e d t o c ha nge t he m e di um of t he t hi r d w or k t o a
t a c t i l e w ove n l i ne , r e pr e s e nt i ng t ha t c onf l i c t s i n t he f a m i l y s houl d be pos i t i ve l y f a c e d r a t he r t ha n
di s t a nt a nd una t t a i na bl e . A ny f a m i l y m e m be r w ho be l i e ve s t ha t t he i r r e l a t i ons hi ps ne e d t o be
i m pr ove d a nd ba l a nc e d s houl d ha ve t he i r c onc e r ns a ddr e s s e d, not j us t t he hi gh- s t a t us i ndi vi dua l s .
T he l i ght w e i ght a nd e a s i l y a c c e s s i bl e m a t e r i a l s i n t he w or k i m pl y t ha t t he t opi c of f a m i l y
r e l a t i ons hi ps c a n be di s c us s e d by a l l , r a t he r t ha n be i ng r e s i s t e d or a voi de d. W e s houl d be gi n t o
pa y a t t e nt i on t o t he di s t a nc e a nd r e l a t i ons hi ps be t w e e n i ndi vi dua l s , a nd be c ons c i ous of t he m .
W e c a nnot e s c a pe or f l e e f r om f a m i l y r e l a t i ons hi ps be c a us e w e a r e a l w a ys c onne c t e d by bl ood
r e l a t i ons . M e m be r s of a f a m i l y a l w a ys c om pl e m e nt e a c h ot he r ' s r ol e s , a nd i ns t e a d of i nf l ue nc i ng
e a c h ot he r i n a ne ga t i ve w a y i n a ba d f a m i l y e nvi r onm e nt , w e s houl d f a c e t he pr obl e m s a nd
c r e a t e a f a m i l y e nvi r onm e nt t ha t i s m ut ua l l y r e s pe c t f ul , ba l a nc e d, a nd pos i t i ve t o pr om ot e t he
he a l t hy gr ow t h of c hi l dr e n.
36
E ve r y f a m i l y ha s i t s ow n uni que l i vi ng a t m os phe r e a nd i s s ue s , w hi c h m a ke up a di ve r s e
ne t w or k of c onne c t i ons , m uc h l i ke t he i nt e r w e a vi ng of t hr e a ds . I n m y l a s t de s i gn pr oj e c t ,
" B r e a t hi ng" I c r e a t e d a va r i e t y of ne t - l i ke pa pe r s w i t h di f f e r e nt s t yl e s a nd va r i a t i ons a s t he
ba c kgr ound f or m y de s i gn. S om e pa pe r s w e r e i nt e nt i ona l l y m a de w i t h a t e xt ur e t ha t i nc l ude d
l i ne pa t t e r ns , e a c h w i t h a s l i ght l y di f f e r e nt t e xt ur e , m uc h l i ke how s om e f a m i l i e s m a y pos s e s s
di s t i nc t qua l i t i e s t ha t s e t t he m a pa r t f r om ot he r s . T he pa pe r s a l s o f e a t ur e di f f e r e nt l i ne s t r uc t ur e s ,
hi nt i ng a t t he di ve r s i t y w i t hi n f a m i l y r e l a t i ons hi ps . I i nt e r w ove a nd i nt e r l a c e d t he ne t - l i ke pa pe r s
w i t h di f f e r e nt c ol or s of he m p t hr e a d, c r e a t i ng a t a c t i l e a nd vi s ua l e f f e c t t ha t di s t i ngui s he s i t f r om
m y pr e vi ous t w o de s i gn pr oj e c t s . B e c a us e t he ba c kgr ound m a t e r i a l i s l i ght a nd t hi n, pe opl e c a n
t ouc h a nd e xa m i ne i t by ha nd, w hi c h c r e a t e s a n e m ot i ona l c onne c t i on be t w e e n t he a udi e nc e a nd
t he m a t e r i a l . T hi s m e di um c a r r i e s a w e i ght t ha t di f f e r s f r om m y pr e vi ous pr oj e c t s , a s pa pe r i s a n
e s s e nt i a l i t e m i n hum a n l i f e a nd e xpr e s s e s e m ot i ona l s pa c e i n f a m i l y r e l a t i ons hi ps . T he
i nt e r w e a vi ng of t he t hr e a ds c a n be a r r a nge d i n hundr e ds of va r i a t i ons , a nd i n t hi s w a y, i t s e r ve s
not onl y a s a t e c hni que but a l s o a s a m e a ns of na r r a t i ve s t or yt e l l i ng t ha t e voke s a s e ns e of
nos t a l gi a a nd m e l a nc hol y. T he t hr e a ds , m uc h l i ke t he t a ngl e d ya r n of a n ol d s w e a t e r , a r e
c onne c t e d by m e m or i e s t ha t w e a ve a l i nge r i ng a t m os phe r e of e m ot i on. F or a s e ns i t i ve f e m a l e
de s i gne r , " w e a vi ng" i s a n i ns t i nc t i ve a c t , m uc h l i ke w e a vi ng dr e a m s , e m ot i ons , a nd t he m i nut i a e
of e ve r yda y l i f e i nt o a c ohe r e nt a nd or ga ni z e d w hol e , hi ghl i ght i ng t he s m a l l e s t de t a i l s a nd
br i ngi ng t he m i nt o f oc us . I be l i e ve t ha t " w e a vi ng" i s a l s o a w a y f or m e t o pe r c e i ve t he w or l d a nd
f a m i l y r e l a t i ons hi ps .
I n t hi s pi e c e of w or k, I a i m t o e m pha s i z e t he s e ns e of s pa c e gi ve n t o e a c h ot he r i n f a m i l y
r e l a t i ons hi ps . W e ne e d t o " br e a t he " r a t he r t ha n be s uppr e s s e d. I n pa t r i a r c ha l f a m i l i e s , f a t he r s
s houl d a c t i ve l y pa r t i c i pa t e i n f a m i l y a c t i vi t i e s t o t r ul y unde r s t a nd t he ne e ds of f a m i l y m e m be r s i n
37
t he i r da i l y l i ve s . I n t he a r t w or k, I l e a ve s pa c e be t w e e n t he l i ne s , s om e t i m e s c l os e t oge t he r , a nd
s om e t i m e s e qua l l y s pa c e d. I t ' s not j us t a bout be i ng pe r m a ne nt l y c om pa c t or di s t a nt . T he r e f or e , I
us e pa pe r w i t h a m ode r a t e ha r dne s s a s t he ba c ki ng boa r d, w hi c h c a n s uppor t t he l i ne s a nd
de m ons t r a t e f l e xi bi l i t y. T he w ool ya r n ne e ds t o be m a nua l l y t hr e a de d t hr ough t he s m a l l hol e s i n
t he pa pe r , w hi c h i s a t i m e - c ons um i ng a nd l a bor i ous t a s k. D ue t o t he s m a l l hol e s , t he di f f i c ul t y of
w e a vi ng i nc r e a s e s , a nd i t t a ke s a bout a n hour or m or e t o c om pl e t e e a c h s he e t of pa pe r . A f t e r t he
pr oduc t i on i s c om pl e t e , I c r um pl e or t e a r s om e of t he pa pe r t o e xpr e s s t he ba l a nc e of
r e l a t i ons hi ps i n di f f e r e nt s t a t e s .
F i gur e 15. " B r e at hi ng" T e x t i l e K ni t t i ng P r oj e c t
38
F i gur e 16. " B r e at hi ng" T e x t i l e K ni t t i ng P r oj e c t , R e d
39
C on c l u s i on
I n m y e a r l y s t a ge s of pe r s ona l de s i gn a nd l e a r ni ng, I t e nde d t o s t a y i n t he r e a l m of 2D
gr a phi c s or r e l y on e l e c t r oni c s of t w a r e t o c r e a t e a nd c onc e pt ua l i z e de s i gns . H ow e ve r , t hi s of t e n
l e d m e t o be c ons t r a i ne d by t he l i m i t a t i ons of e l e c t r oni c m e di a . T he r e f or e , I e nde a vor e d t o s e e k
out a l t e r na t i ve m e di a or m e t hods t o c ul t i va t e ne w de s i gn i ns pi r a t i ons . I f ound t ha t I pr e f e r r e d
t a ngi bl e , t ouc ha bl e obj e c t s , a s t hi s a l s o s e r ve d t o e nha nc e m y m e m or y of a pa r t i c ul a r obj e c t , a s I
t e nd t o r e l y on s e ns or y e xpe r i e nc e s t o s t or e m e m or i e s . D ue t o m y s t r i c t c ul t ur a l ba c kgr ound a nd
f a m i l y r e l a t i ons hi ps , I w a s onc e t r a ppe d i n a s t a t e of r e pr e s s i on a nd f e a r of e xpr e s s i ng m y
pe r s ona l i de a s . I t w a s onl y a f t e r l e a vi ng hom e a nd c om i ng t o t he U ni t e d S t a t e s t o s t udy on m y
ow n t ha t I di s c ove r e d t he ne ga t i ve a nd de t r i m e nt a l e f f e c t s of s uc h f e a t ur e s . I r e a l i z e d t ha t
c r e a t i ng he a l t hy f a m i l y r e l a t i ons hi ps a nd e duc a t i on i s a s e r i ous a nd c r uc i a l m a t t e r , a s not a l l
c hi l dr e n ha ve t he oppor t uni t y or a bi l i t y t o r e de e m t he m s e l ve s , a nd s om e m a y not e ve n be a w a r e
of s uc h ne ga t i ve f a m i l i a l t r a i t s ."
H um a ns a r e de t e r m i ne d by t he i r e nvi r onm e nt .
D ur i ng t he pr oc e s s of gr ow i ng up, t he e a r l y e xpe r i e nc e s of t he ne w ge ne r a t i on i n t he i r
na t i ve f a m i l i e s a r e c r uc i a l t o t he i r s ubs e que nt de ve l opm e nt . T he na t i ve f a m i l i e s e s t a bl i s h a
w i ndow t hr ough w hi c h c hi l dr e n vi e w t he m s e l ve s , ot he r s , a nd t he w or l d. A t t he s a m e t i m e , t he
c ul t ur a l ba c kgr ound, s oc i a l r e l a t i ons , a nd c l a s s a t t r i but e s of t he na t i ve f a m i l y i t s e l f di r e c t l y a f f e c t
t he de ve l opm e nt of t he ne xt ge ne r a t i on' s a bi l i t y. I n a he a l t hy f a m i l y e duc a t i on, f a m i l y m e m be r s
a s i ndi vi dua l s ha ve t he f r e e dom t o e xpr e s s t he i r ow n t hought s . I n a he a l t hy f a m i l y e nvi r onm e nt ,
pa r e nt s not onl y a dvoc a t e f or t he ne xt ge ne r a t i on' s i ndi vi dua l e xpr e s s i on, c ul t i va t e t he i r pe r s ona l
r e s pons i bi l i t y a nd i nde pe nde nc e , but a l s o e nc our a ge t he m t o de ve l op t he i r ow n s e ns e of
s a t i s f a c t i on a nd s e l f - e s t e e m . I n c ont r a s t , a n unhe a l t hy f a m i l y us ua l l y r e s t r i c t s c hi l dr e n' s
40
i ndi vi dua l i t y, a nd r e qui r e s e ve r y f a m i l y m e m be r t o a dhe r e t o t he s a m e i de ol ogi c a l c onc e pt s a nd
be ha vi or s a s t he i r e l de r s , t hus bl ur r i ng i ndi vi dua l bounda r i e s w i t hi n t he f a m i l y. F or us , t he ne xt
ge ne r a t i on, i t i s a ve r y di f f i c ul t a nd c our a ge ous t a s k t o ove r c om e t he di s r e s pe c t a nd une qua l
t r e a t m e nt of our s e l ve s by our na t i ve f a m i l i e s .
I n c ont e m por a r y C hi na , t he f a m i l y i s a n e xt r e m e l y i m por t a nt s oc i a l uni t , but w i t h t he
c ha nge s i n s oc i e t y a nd f a m i l y s t r uc t ur e , f a m i l y r e l a t i ons hi ps ha ve unde r gone va r i ous e vol ut i ons .
P a r t i c ul a r l y a m ong t he yout h, unhe a l t hy a nd une qua l f a m i l y r e l a t i ons hi ps ha ve ha d a pr of ound
i m pa c t on t he i r gr ow t h a nd m e nt a l he a l t h. M a ny C hi ne s e f a m i l i e s a r e c ont r ol l e d by s t r ong
pa t e r na l a ut hor i t y, a nd C hi ne s e c ul t ur e va l ue s t he not i on of " s t r i c t f a t he r a nd ki nd m ot he r ," t hus
t he m ot he r ' s i m a ge i s ge ne r a l l y s e e n a s ge nt l e . H ow e ve r , f or young pe opl e w ho w e r e s e nt a br oa d
t o s t udy a t a ve r y young a ge a nd s t i l l f i nd t he m s e l ve s unde r pa t e r na l a ut hor i t y, t he i r i na bi l i t y t o
be c om e i nde pe nde nt a nd l a c k of s uppor t f r om f a m i l y a nd f r i e nds c a n s e r i ous l y c a us e t he m t o
c ons t a nt l y r e t r e a t , be c om e f r a gi l e , a nd e ve n c ons t a nt l y s t r uggl e w i t h t he i r ow n br e a kdow ns . A t
t hi s poi nt , a ny l i s t e ni ng, e m pa t hy, a nd s uppor t a r e t he ne e ds t he y c r a ve ( L ung- K e e S un, 2015) .
A s a vi s ua l c om m uni c a t i on s t ude nt , I hope t o e xpl or e t hi s phe nom e non t hr ough m y de s i gn w or ks
a nd r a i s e a w a r e ne s s of f a m i l y r e l a t i ons hi ps a nd t he m e nt a l he a l t h of young pe opl e .
I n m y de s i gn w or k, I ha ve f oc us e d on e xpl or i ng t he une qua l a nd unhe a l t hy f a c t or s i n
f a m i l y r e l a t i ons hi ps . B y e xa m i ni ng t he va r i ous pr obl e m s f a c e d by t e e na ge r s , I ha ve de s i gne d a
s e r i e s of vi s ua l c om m uni c a t i on w or ks w i t h a f a m i l y t he m e , a i m i ng t o e voke r e s ona nc e a nd
f ur t he r e nha nc e pe opl e ' s a t t e nt i on a nd i m por t a nc e t o f a m i l y r e l a t i ons hi ps by pr e s e nt i ng r e s pe c t
f or c hi l dr e n, ge nde r e qua l i t y, a nd a ppr opr i a t e f a m i l y di s t a nc e . D ur i ng t he pe r i od of m y t he s i s
pr oj e c t , I a i m e d t o e xpr e s s a nd s uppor t m y pr om ot i on of c l os e r e l a t i ons hi ps be t w e e n i ndi vi dua l s
t hr ough s pa t i a l e xpr e s s i on a nd i nt e r pr e t a t i on of m e di a , c ol or , a nd r hyt hm i n t he s e t hr e e de s i gn
41
pr oj e c t s . W e ne e d t o f a c e t he pot e nt i a l i ndi r e c t i m pa c t s t ha t f a m i l i e s m a y ha ve on t he ne xt
ge ne r a t i on, a nd w e ne e d t o a c t i ve l y r e s pond a nd ha ve a he a l t hy a w a r e ne s s of c ha nge a nd
r e c r e a t i on. I us e d r a w m a t e r i a l s a nd t e c hni que s a s a pe r s ona l l i nk a nd bond be t w e e n m ys e l f a nd
m y f a m i l y. I n f a c t , t hi s w a s a l s o a c ha l l e nge f or m e , a s I ha d ne ve r done w e a vi ng or s i m i l a r
w or ks be f or e . I pr e f e r t he s e ns e of a c c om pl i s hm e nt a nd pe r m a ne nc e of m a ki ng t hi ngs by ha nd.
F i na l l y, I c hos e t hi s m e di um not onl y be c a us e f a br i c s c a n c r e a t e a r e a l i s t i c a nd s pe c i a l t ouc h, but
a l s o be c a us e I w a nt e d t o c onne c t a nd c ol l a bor a t e w i t h m y m ot he r t hr ough kni t t i ng a r t ( a l t hough
s he i s a n e m br oi de r e r , w hi c h i s di f f e r e nt f r om kni t t i ng a r t , but bot h us e t hr e a ds t o c r e a t e w or ks ) .
M y m ot he r a nd I c onve r ge d i n de s i gn, a nd f ound s om e c om m uni c a t i on t hr ough our
m ut ua l unde r s t a ndi ng or de di c a t i on t o c r a f t a nd a r t . T hi s w a s a hi ghe r l e ve l of r e c onc i l i a t i on t ha t
m a y not ha ve pe r f e c t l y r e pa i r e d our r e l a t i ons hi p, but i t s t r e ngt he ne d m y unde r s t a ndi ng of how I
w a s r a i s e d. F r om a young a ge , I di d not ha ve a de e p e m ot i ona l c onne c t i on w i t h m y f a m i l y,
be c a us e t he y ne ve r e xpr e s s e d t he i r c a r e f or m e t hr ough c om pa ni ons hi p a nd l a ngua ge , w hi c h a l s o
l e d m e t o be l i e ve t ha t I w a s not ne e de d f or a l ong t i m e . M y r e l a t i ons hi p w i t h m y f a t he r w a s
unf a m i l i a r be c a us e he ne ve r pa r t i c i pa t e d i n a ny f a m i l y a c t i vi t i e s but a t t e m pt e d t o pl a n t he l i ve s
of e ve r y f a m i l y m e m be r . H e t r e a t e d t he f a m i l y a s hi s ow n s m a l l c om pa ny, a nd w he ne ve r he ga ve
or de r s , w e ha d t o c om pl e t e t he t a s ks a c c or di ng t o hi s r e qui r e m e nt s . F or t una t e l y, m y m ot he r i s
ope n- m i nde d, e m ot i ona l , a nd a w a r e of t he pr obl e m . T he r e f or e , I t r i e d t o us e t he a r t f or m s he w a s
good a t t o c om m uni c a t e a nd c onve r ge s pi r i t ua l l y. W he n m y m ot he r a nd I di s c us s e d t he
gr a dua t i on pr oj e c t t he m e , s he w a s a l w a ys ve r y s uppor t i ve a nd s e l f l e s s l y e xpr e s s e d he r i de a s . S he
w a s a l s o ha ppy t ha t I c oul d c om m uni c a t e w i t h he r on a n a r t i s t i c l e ve l , be c a us e be f or e t ha t , s he
ha d be e n doi ng e m br oi de r y w or k a l one . P e r ha ps a t t hi s m om e nt , s he a l s o f e l t t he s uppor t of ot he r
f a m i l y m e m be r s . O nl y w he n f a m i l y m e m be r s unde r s t a nd a nd r e s pe c t e a c h ot he r c a n t r ue
42
r e c onc i l i a t i on be a c hi e ve d. J us t l i ke a C hi ne s e i di om c om m onl y us e d by t he C hi ne s e pe opl e , " a
ha r m oni ous f a m i l y l e a ds t o a s uc c e s s f ul l i f e " r e pr e s e nt s e ve r yone ' s e xpe c t a t i on f or a ha r m oni ous
a nd pr os pe r ous f a m i l y. O nl y w i t h a ha r m oni ous f a m i l y c a n s oc i a l ha r m ony a nd na t i ona l s t a bi l i t y
be a c hi e ve d.
W he n s e l e c t i ng c ol or s , i t i s a ve r y pe r s ona l c hoi c e f or m e . I c hoos e c ol or s ba s e d on
m e m or i e s of s c e ne s of a r gum e nt s or f e e l i ngs of a pol ogy w i t h m y f a m i l y. S om e t i m e s I c hoos e
c ont r a s t i ng c ol or s t o e xpr e s s c onf l i c t , w hi l e ot he r t i m e s I c hoos e s i m i l a r c ol or s t o c onve y w a r m t h
a nd s of t ne s s . I n s om e w or ks , I know t ha t I a m t r yi ng t o us e m ut e d c ol or s t o e xpr e s s a dul l a nd
unpl e a s a nt a t m os phe r e , s o t ha t pe opl e c a n f e e l t he i ne qua l i t i e s a nd unhe a l t hy f a c t or s t ha t e xi s t i n
f a m i l i e s , f ur t he r r a i s i ng a w a r e ne s s a nd a t t e nt i on t o t he s e i s s ue s . C onve r s e l y, br i ght c ol or s a nd
gr a phi c s a r e us e d t o e xpr e s s t he vi t a l i t y, hope s , a nd i m por t a nc e of t e e na ge r s , dr a w i ng a t t e nt i on t o
t he i r m e nt a l he a l t h a nd e nc our a gi ng pe opl e t o t a ke m e a s ur e s t o pr ot e c t a nd va l ue t hi s vul ne r a bl e
gr oup.
I t e nd t o us e c e r t a i n t one s ba s e d on m e m or i e s a nd s e ns a t i ons , r a t he r t ha n a s pe c i f i c , e xa c t
c ol or , be c a us e e ve r yone ha s a di f f e r e nt pe r c e pt i on of s pe c i f i c c ol or s . H ow e ve r , a s a de s i gne r ,
s ubc ons c i ous f e e l i ngs a r e pr e c i ous . S i nc e I be ga n l e a r ni ng de s i gn, e ve r y c hoi c e ha s ne e de d t o
ha ve a r e a s on. W he n w e us e c ol or , f ont , or l a yout , w e ne e d t o ha ve a c l e a r pur pos e . T he s e de s i gn
r ul e s m a ke m e f or ge t a bout t he f r e e dom of c r e a t i on. B e f or e I c hos e de s i gn a s m y m a j or ,
e xpr e s s i ng c ur r e nt e m ot i ons w i t h t he I m pr e s s i oni s t s t yl e w a s m y out l e t . I t w a s j oyf ul , a nd I di d
not ne e d t o e xpl a i n e ve r y c ol or a nd br us hs t r oke . T hi s w a s one of m y t r a ns f or m a t i ons f r om
pa i nt i ng t o de s i gn. W i t h t hi s oppor t uni t y, I us e d s ubc ons c i ous c hoi c e s t ha t c oul d r e pr e s e nt m y
f e e l i ngs a t t ha t t i m e t hr ough t ouc h, s i ght , a nd s e ns a t i on. W i t hout he s i t a t i on, f r e e l y a nd t r ut hf ul l y.
43
F or t he ne w ge ne r a t i on w i t h di f f e r e nt e duc a t i ona l phi l os ophi e s , w e a r e a t t e m pt i ng t o
t r a ns f or m t he s e unhe a l t hy a nd une qua l f a m i l y r e l a t i ons hi ps . A s w e ha ve pe r s ona l l y e xpe r i e nc e d
t he s e r e l a t i ons hi ps , w e pos s e s s e m pa t hy a nd unde r s t a nd how f a m i l i a l r e l a t i ons hi ps s ubt l y
i nf l ue nc e us . I t i s w i de l y know n t ha t c ha ngi ng t he i de a s a nd phi l os ophi e s of pr e vi ous ge ne r a t i ons
i s a n a r duous t a s k. T he s e s t r i c t be l i e f s ha ve i nf l ue nc e d e ve r y ge ne r a t i on, a nd t o t hi s da y, t he y
ha ve not be e n c om pl e t e l y a ba ndone d or t r a ns f or m e d. T hr ough t he s e w or ks , I hope t o a r ous e
pe opl e ' s a t t e nt i on a nd c onc e r n f or f a m i l y r e l a t i ons hi ps a nd a dol e s c e nt m e nt a l he a l t h. I w i s h t o
m a ke m or e pe opl e a w a r e of t he i m por t a nc e of m a i nt a i ni ng he a l t hy, e qua l , a nd j us t f a m i l y
r e l a t i ons hi ps a nd t a ke m e a s ur e s t o pr ot e c t a nd s uppor t vul ne r a bl e yout h i n t he s e r e l a t i ons hi ps .
T he m ode r n C hi ne s e f a m i l y dyna m i c r e qui r e s c ha nge , a nd t hi s w i l l be a l ong pr oc e s s . T he r e f or e ,
w e m us t be gi n c ul t i va t i ng a w a r e ne s s now . F or t hos e i n pos i t i ons of pow e r , s uc h a s pa r e nt s , i t c a n
be di f f i c ul t f or t he m t o a c know l e dge t he i r m i s t a ke s . I n ot he r w or ds , t he y m a y l a c k i nt r os pe c t i on,
a nd t he i r pr of e s s i ona l s uc c e s s ha s m a de t he m f e e l s upe r i or . N o one da r e s t o que s t i on or doubt
t he m . T hi s s upe r i or i t y c om pl e x c a r r i e s ove r i nt o t he i r f a m i l i a l r e l a t i ons hi ps . T he r e f or e , I w a nt t o
us e a r t a s a m e a ns t o pr om ot e s e l f - r e f l e c t i on a nd us e e xt e r na l f a c t or s t o a i d t he m i n r e c ogni z i ng
t he i s s ue . M e a nw hi l e , t he c ount r y a l s o ne e ds t o c ha nge t he i nhe r i t a nc e of f e uda l i s t i c i de a s .
P r e s e nt i ng phi l os ophi e s t ha t c or r e s pond w i t h t he t i m e s c a n be t t e r he l p r e s ol ve f a m i l y c onf l i c t .
T he " B a s i c P r i nc i pl e s " of C hi na ' s " C hi l d D e ve l opm e nt P l a n ( 2021- 2030)
1 9
," i s s ue d by t he S t a t e
C ounc i l i n S e pt e m be r 2021, r e pe a t e dl y e m pha s i z e s c hi l d pa r t i c i pa t i on. A m ong t he m , A r t i c l e 5
s pe c i f i c a l l y s t a t e s : " A dhe r e t o e nc our a gi ng c hi l dr e n' s pa r t i c i pa t i on. R e s pe c t t he s ubj e c t s t a t us of
c hi l dr e n, e nc our a ge a nd s uppor t c hi l dr e n t o pa r t i c i pa t e i n f a m i l y, s oc i a l , a nd c ul t ur a l l i f e , a nd
1 9
“ O ut l i ne of C hi na ' s C hi l dr e n' s D e ve l opm e nt ( 2021- 2030) . ” N ot i c e of t he S t a t e C ounc i l on P r i nt i ng a nd D i s t r i but i ng t he
P r ogr a m f or t he D e ve l opm e nt of C hi ne s e W om e n a nd t he P r ogr a m f or t he D e ve l opm e nt of C hi ne s e C hi l dr e n. N a t i ona l
W or ki ng C om m i t t e e on C hi l dr e n a nd W om e n unde r S t a t e C ounc i l , S e pt e m be r 27, 2021.
ht t ps : / / w w w .nw c c w .gov.c n/ 2021- 09/ 27/ c ont e nt _295775.ht m .
44
c r e a t e a s oc i a l e nvi r onm e nt c onduc i ve t o c hi l dr e n' s pa r t i c i pa t i on." F or m a ny ye a r s , t hi s i s t he
f i r s t t i m e t ha t t he c onc e pt of " c hi l dr e n' s s ubj e c t s t a t us " ha s be e n c l e a r l y pr opos e d. R e s pe c t i ng t he
s ubj e c t s t a t us of c hi l dr e n i s of gr e a t s i gni f i c a nc e i n e s t a bl i s hi ng good pa r e nt - c hi l d r e l a t i ons hi ps .
T hi s i s a l s o t he f unda m e nt a l phi l os ophy t ha t f a m i l y a nd yout h s oc i a l w or k s houl d f ol l ow .
A r t ha s pr e vi ous l y s a ve d a nd t r a ns f or m e d m e , s o I hope t o pos i t i ve l y i m pa c t a nd br i ng
a bout c ha nge t o t he s e i s s ue s t hr ough a r t i s t i c r e s e a r c h.
45
B i b l i o g r a p h y
A l be r s , A nni . O n W e av i ng . N e w E xpa nde d E d. P r i nc e t on U ni ve r s i t y P r e s s , 2017.
“ A pr i l 17 S ha ngha i B oy J um pi ng of f B r i dge I nc i de nt . ” E ngl i s h- - P e opl e ' s D a i l y O nl i ne . A c c e s s e d
J a nua r y 16, 2023. ht t p: / / e n.pe opl e .c n/ .
B a um e i s t e r , R oy F ., a nd M a r k R . L e a r y. “ T he N e e d t o B e l ong: D e s i r e f or I nt e r pe r s ona l
A t t a c hm e nt s a s a F unda m e nt a l H um a n M ot i va t i on. ” I nt e r pe r s onal D e v e l opm e nt , 2017, 57–
89. ht t ps : / / doi .or g/ 10.4324/ 9781351153683- 3.
B ow l by, J ohn. A t t ac hm e nt and L os s . N e w Y or k: B a s i c B ooks , 1969.
“ C hi ne s e A l l e gor i e s . ” C hi na .or g.c n - C hi na ne w s , bus i ne s s , t r a ve l & l a ngua ge c our s e s . A c c e s s e d
M a r c h 1, 2023. ht t p: / / w w w .c hi na .or g.c n/ i nde x.ht m .
D i a m ond, G uy, a nd H ow a r d A . L i ddl e . “ R e s ol vi ng a T he r a pe ut i c I m pa s s e be t w e e n P a r e nt s a nd
A dol e s c e nt s i n M ul t i di m e ns i ona l F a m i l y T he r a py. ” J our nal of C ons ul t i ng and C l i ni c al
P s y c hol ogy 64, no. 3 ( 1996) : 481 –88. ht t ps : / / doi .or g/ 10.1037/ 0022- 006x.64.3.481.
G i dde ns , A nt hony. M ode r ni t y and Se l f - I de nt i t y . C a m br i dge : P ol i t y P r e s s , 1991.
“ I ns t i t ut e of C hi l d a nd A dol e s c e nt H e a l t h of P e ki ng U ni ve r s i t y. ” I ns t i t ut e of C hi l d a nd
A dol e s c e nt H e a l t h of P e ki ng U ni ve r s i t y- 北京大学公共卫生学院. A c c e s s e d M a r c h 4,
2023. ht t ps : / / s ph.pku.e du.c n/ i nf o/ 1120/ 3986.ht m .
I s hi i - K unt z , M a s a ko. D i v e r s i t y w i t hi n A s i an A m e r i c an F am i l i e s , n.d.
K ong, Q i u, a nd S i m on L e ys . A nal e c t s of C onf uc i us . W W N or t on & C o L t d, 1997.
M a s l ow , A br a ha m H . T ow ar ds a P s y c hol ogy of B e i ng . P r i nc e t on, N .J ,: V a n N os t r a nd, 1962.
M i l l e r - D a y, M i c he l l e . “ F a m i l y C om m uni c a t i on. ” O x f or d R e s e ar c h E nc y c l ope di a of
C om m uni c at i on , 2017. ht t ps : / / doi .or g/ 10.1093/ a c r e f or e / 9780190228613.013.177.
N obuhi r o N a ka ni s hi ｜中西信洋. A c c e s s e d F e br ua r y 10, 2023. ht t p: / / nobuhi r ona ka ni s hi .c om / .
“ O ut l i ne of C hi na ' s C hi l dr e n' s D e ve l opm e nt ( 2021- 2030) . ” N ot i c e of t he S t a t e C ounc i l on
P r i nt i ng a nd D i s t r i but i ng t he P r ogr a m f or t he D e ve l opm e nt of C hi ne s e W om e n a nd t he
P r ogr a m f or t he D e ve l opm e nt of C hi ne s e C hi l dr e n. N a t i ona l W or ki ng C om m i t t e e on
C hi l dr e n a nd W om e n unde r S t a t e C ounc i l , S e pt e m be r 27, 2021.
ht t ps : / / w w w .nw c c w .gov.c n/ 2021- 09/ 27/ c ont e nt _295775.ht m .
P a r i s , R ut h, a nd E l l e n R . D e V oe . “ H um a n N e e ds : F a m i l y. ” E nc y c l ope di a of Soc i al W or k , 2013.
ht t ps : / / doi .or g/ 10.1093/ a c r e f or e / 9780199975839.013.555.
46
S i nko, L a ur a , Y ua n H e , R a c he l K i s ht on, R obi n O r t i z , L a r e l J a c obs , a nd M i c he l l e F i nge r m a n.
“ ‘ T he S t a y a t H om e O r de r I s C a us i ng T hi ngs t o G e t H e a t e d up’ : F a m i l y C onf l i c t
D yna m i c s dur i ng C ovi d- 19 f r om t he P e r s pe c t i ve s of Y out h C a l l i ng a N a t i ona l C hi l d A bus e
H ot l i ne . ” J our na l of f a m i l y vi ol e nc e . U .S . N a t i ona l L i br a r y of M e di c i ne , 2022.
ht t ps : / / w w w .nc bi .nl m .ni h.gov/ pm c / a r t i c l e s / P M C 8186368/ .
S un, L ung- K e e . T he D e e p St r uc t ur e of C hi ne s e C ul t ur e . B e i j i ng: Z hongxi n P ubl i s h C om pa ny,
2015.
T ong, X i n. “ O be di e nc e a nd R e s i s t a nc e : A dol e s c e nt S e l f - I de nt i t y a nd I nt e gr a t i on: C r e a t i ve
P r a c t i c e of E qua l R i ght s i n S oc i a l W or k of F a m i l y R e l a t i ons hi p. ” X ue hai .B e i j i ng
U ni v e r s i t y , J a nua r y 2022. ht t ps : / / doi .or g/ 10.16091/ j .c nki .c n32- 1308/ c .2022.01.011.
“ U N E S C O ' s I nt a ngi bl e C ul t ur a l H e r i t a ge L i s t . ” 中国入选联合国教科文组织非物质文化遗产
名录项目 - 中国非物质文化遗产网. A c c e s s e d M a r c h 8, 2023.
ht t ps : / / w w w .i hc hi na .c n/ c hi na di r e c t or y.ht m l .
Z ha ng, G uoxi a ng, a nd M e ng J i a o. “ S ong of t he T r a ve l l i ng S on. ” E s s a y. I n Q uan T ang Shi : Q uan
Z hu Q uan P i ng . T i a nj i n: T i a n j i n gu j i c hu ba n s he , 2014.
“ 2022 C hi ne s e M a l e a nd F e m a l e P opul a t i on. ” G ov.c n: T he C hi ne s e C e nt r a l G ove r nm e nt ' s
of f i c i a l w e b por t a l . A c c e s s e d M a r c h 1, 2023. ht t ps : / / w w w .gov.c n/ e ngl i s h/ .

Abstract (if available)

Abstract During the COVID pandemic, people who were isolated at home started to think more about the relationship and distance between each other. How to get along properly with their family members has become a topic that is worth discussing. As a child studying alone far away from my own family, I encountered countless misunderstandings and unfair treatments in my communication with my parents, which caused great stress and distress. I have learned I am not the only person to have had this experience. In many Chinese families, children often find themselves in a vulnerable position and are not treated with the proper care and attention they deserve. Their feelings and emotions are often ignored by their parents, and they are treated as objects to be shaped and molded by adults, rather than as individuals with their own unique needs and perspectives.
To tackle this issue, I prioritize encouraging emotional expression, bring feelings to the surface, helping children speak up for themselves, and emphasizing equality and freedom in the family. These efforts aim to prompt reflection on people’s own relationships and foster stronger connections. Growing up in a strict family environment has taught me to be subtle in handling close relationships. Though we are all separate and independent individuals in the family, we are bound by blood ties, intertwined and interconnected in our relationships.
By addressing this issue, I hope to promote greater empathy and understanding within families, leading to improved emotional connections and more positive relationships. Through thoughtful and empathetic design, I believe we can create meaningful and positive social change.

Linked assets

University of Southern California Dissertations and Theses

Conceptually similar

PDF

Revving up: exploring the intersection of automobile racing and graphic design

PDF

Behind the tea: Chinese history and the culture of tea

PDF

Visualizing the effects of cultural communication on the individual: Confucianism and new family structure

PDF

Designing with the moon as inspiration

PDF

Existence and response: living in quarantine during a pandemic

PDF

Pushing design limits: expanding boundaries of graphic design

PDF

Mobile applications as a communication space: playdate application case study

PDF

Lost and found: escape from the longing past towards the uncertain future of art and design

PDF

The application of photography technology in modern graphic design: the beauty of astrophotography

PDF

A sense of joy

PDF

The strain I am under: the human condition and its effects on my design process

PDF

Silenced no more: examining gender stereotypes in Chinese language and culture

PDF

Accept yourself, respect yourself, love yourself: a film letter to myself

PDF

Game character design and cultural export

PDF

Bento: space design

PDF

Hip-pop Cí a design renaissance: the synergy of technology and creativity in digital and physical immersive media

PDF

Mark making: an exploration of the meaning of marking and self

PDF

Space/home: rethinking space in a 2D context

PDF

Past imagination, present creation and the reality of tomorrow: explore the impact of Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Mixed Reality (MR) design

PDF

Using fantasy storytelling to raise awareness on environmental issues

Asset Metadata

Creator Wei, Hanxi (author)

Core Title Family legacy and the evolution of contemporary Chinese youth

School Roski School of Art and Design

Degree Master of Fine Arts

Degree Program Design

Degree Conferral Date 2023-05

Publication Date 04/28/2023

Defense Date 04/04/2023

Publisher University of Southern California (original), University of Southern California. Libraries (digital)

Tag Communication,Family,Knitting,OAI-PMH Harvest,textile,Weaving

Format theses (aat)

Language English

Contributor Electronically uploaded by the author (provenance)

Advisor Wojciak, Ewa (committee chair), Ellenburg, Jason (committee member), Zoto, Alexis (committee member)

Creator Email hanxiwei@usc.edu,weiwynonna@gmail.com

Permanent Link (DOI) https://doi.org/10.25549/usctheses-oUC113089394

Unique identifier UC113089394

Identifier etd-WeiHanxi-11737.pdf (filename)

Legacy Identifier etd-WeiHanxi-11737

Document Type Thesis

Format theses (aat)

Rights Wei, Hanxi

Internet Media Type application/pdf

Type texts

Source 20230501-usctheses-batch-1033 (batch), University of Southern California (contributing entity), University of Southern California Dissertations and Theses (collection)

Access Conditions The author retains rights to his/her dissertation, thesis or other graduate work according to U.S. copyright law. Electronic access is being provided by the USC Libraries in agreement with the author, as the original true and official version of the work, but does not grant the reader permission to use the work if the desired use is covered by copyright. It is the author, as rights holder, who must provide use permission if such use is covered by copyright.

Repository Name University of Southern California Digital Library

Repository Location USC Digital Library, University of Southern California, University Park Campus MC 2810, 3434 South Grand Avenue, 2nd Floor, Los Angeles, California 90089-2810, USA

Repository Email cisadmin@lib.usc.edu