OUTSIDE/IN___________________________________________ MFA Thesis 2024

01. The Observer: Design in Nature

I  have always had a natural curiosity for learning about the world and all of its inhabitants. It is estimated that there are around 8.7 million species of plants and animals in existence. This includes millions of species still undiscovered by humans. Each one with its own way of behaving and interacting with other organisms and their environment.

My love for nature and all things living began when I was a child. I remember the long hours spent searching for snails in my family's garden, gently cupping them in my hands and laughing at the sensation of their feet gliding on my skin. I would try helplessly to save any on the sidewalk from being squished. Similarly, I had a love and fascination for roly-polies, commonly known as pill bugs, and scientifically known as Armadillidium vulgare. I spent hours creating terrariums for large colonies (too young to understand that despite my efforts, my makeshift homes were not sufficient enough to sustain life. I still stay awake at night thinking about all the poor pollies that died at my young and naive hand). On the weekends I spent long days at the beach in the shallow pools between the rocks collecting shells, digging for sand crabs, and awing at the small ecosystems within each and every tide pool.  

My interest in the natural world increased when I was finally old enough to read. After years of collaging and cutting out photographs from the old national geographic magazines my parents kept in our home, I began reading the articles inside.  Simultaneously, I loved all things art. My father, an architect and retired painter, would spend his free time during the weekends painting alongside me in our garden. Our subjects always involved the natural: flowers, trees, and plants. 

02. Perception: You, Me, Us, Them

Perception can be described as the sensory experience of the world. This includes how an individual recognizes, interprets, and responds to sensory information. This differs from observation in the sense that when we perceive, we tend to process our observations through our own personal lens. This lens consists of our own past experiences and schemas. What makes perception so complex is that we all perceive things differently. Our perception of people and situations are shaped by our own prior experiences, interests, beliefs, and how our brains are wired to process information. 

Psychology has always played a large role in my interest in art and design. I find humans to be just as interesting as any other species, if not more. Why do we think the way we do? How are we able to all be so similar and yet so different? Is there truth to what I believe or how I perceive, and how can you measure reality if everyone's is a bit different? It can be hard to remember how subjective our own perception truly is, particularly in a world where everyone is always trying to prove their own point. We are constantly debating and arguing about what one believes to be true, right, or wrong. Quick to judge and react, it feels as if there is little tolerance for different opinions and voices. 

At times I feel incredibly overwhelmed by the seemingly uncontrollable and unexplainable components of our world. I can't help but feel small, existing in a space with endless questions, countless theories, and very few answers. The more I play the role of the observer, the more I recognize all the moving parts that I have little control over, and with everyone else so sure of what they know to be true, it can be difficult to find my own truth. I can't help but wonder how the world would differ if we as a species were more willing and interested in changing our viewfinder. Would we be able to better navigate our differences, and find solutions to problems that may not directly affect us? 

03. Introspection: Internal Experience

The truth about humans is that we actually spend most of our time in our own heads alone with our own thoughts. We percieve the external world, but we have internal experiences. I imagine this is the same for many other species, but I can't say for sure since I am in fact a human, and therefore can really only speak for myself and the role introspection plays in my own life. 

Introspection is the examination of one's own conscious thoughts and feelings. In psychology, the concept of introspection relies on the observation of one's mental state, to others it may be an examination of the soul. Either way it incorporates observation and understanding of how you, as an individual, process and perceive information. Practicing introspection has allowed me to better understand the value I place on different aspects of my own life and the role I may play in the external world. This includes my relationships, past experiences, and own shortcomings. With each passing year, the way I perceive myself and the environment around me continues to evolve. I have come to realize that the only thing in this world that I truly have control over is myself and my own actions. That is not to diminish the roles we play in the lives of those around us and the impact we have on our environment. Outside/In is about navigating the complexities of our planet and our species. All three concepts: observation, perception, and introspection are interconnected processes that work together. We can not experience one without the other. 

I think back to my childhood self, playing in the sand or searching for worms in the dirt, and remember fondly the simple joys of learning and experiencing new things. Through my design research and practice I have explored the external world and my internal experiences. Moving forward, I welcome with open arms the endless questions, I ponder the countless theories, and I hope to continue learning about the world, about others, and about myself.