Date of Award

Spring 6-6-2021

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Fine Arts (MFA)

Department

Jewelry and Metalsmithing

First Advisor

Timothy Veske-McMahon

Second Advisor

Seth Papac

Third Advisor

Lauren Fensterstock

Abstract

I draw upon the stories of people who have experienced nostalgia to identify a sense of belonging to home. I create familiar objects specific to the stories of diasporic peoples to establish a connection between myself and the viewer or wearer, even when I am not present. As a former hotelier adept at initiating conversation, the goal of this work is to serve as a communication mediator, a way to find mutual interests among people in a proactive way.

This thesis addresses the following questions: Can jewelry build networks of connection across time and space? How does the format of jewelry impact the relationship between the wearer and the object? Can I project a feeling of nostalgia to help people process disconnection from home? I anticipate changes in behavior and attitude from the wearers as they reestablish a connection to home through jewelry.

Comments

View exhibition online: Danni Xu ; Security blanket

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