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Contemporary Society Survival Kit

Yuzhe Zhang

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I am a contemporary jewelry designer from China, passionate about creating kinetic, interactive jewelry and wearable installations.

I am a contemporary jewelry designer from China, passionate about creating kinetic, interactive j...

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Exploring how we preserve our authenticity within rigid societal standards, Zoe uses humorous interactive pieces to provoke emotions relating to the self: self-isolation, self-hate and so on. She explores the tumultuous, non-linear journey of self-discovery by alternating between positive and negative experiences. Tools, which are both rational and strict, and toys, which are expressive and sentimental, combine to reflect the structures of society and the place our emotional lives occupy within it. Concluding with a gun that imprints a stamp on the user’s skin, our journey ends by reclaiming ownership of our feelings. 

Interpretative text by Marta Lopes de Vasconcelos, BA (Hons) Culture, Criticism and Curation 

Final work

  • The gold concave shape reflects a distorted self-image, while the overlapping brooches represent confusion and uncertainty when trying to w
  • the gold concave shape reflects a distorted self-image, while the overlapping brooches represent confusion and uncertainty
  • Initially, the gold concave shape reflects a distorted self-image, while the overlapping brooches represent confusion and uncertainty when trying to w
  • This piece is inspired by a toy flying propeller. The wearer quickly pulls the slider outward, causing the gears to turn and the gold propeller on top
  • The wearer quickly pulls the slider outward, causing the gears to turn and the gold propeller on top of the square ring to take off. Symbolizing break
  • When the wearer turns the handle, the feathers rotate gently, softly brushing against their cheek, creating a calming and soothing experience.
  • When the wearer turns the handle, the feathers rotate gently, softly brushing against their cheek, creating a calming and soothing experience.

Research and process

Research into the modern enviroment we are living

Research – Form Follows Function in Modern Living

​In my research of the enviorment where we living, I found that most buildings today have clean lines and geometric shapes, without fancy decorations or carvings.  When modernist style is widely used, it shows that our society values efficiency and function. individual expression often takes a backseat to the collective. Even though these buildings are rational and practical, they can also feel cold and impersonal, losing the emotional connection that makes spaces feel warm and human.

The shapes, colors, and sizes of tools and public facilities are mainly designed to show their purpose. They also give subtle hints on how to use them or where not to go.​​

 This "form follows function" style uses simple design to clearly communicate what they are for. It makes me think about the meaning behind different shapes and how they can express emotions or tell a story through design.

Research and Design Development page: experiment with concave mirror surfaces and soldering multiple brooch pins.

Research and design development page

Left-hand side page: Experiments with concave mirrors. left top:1. A single-layer concave mirror. 2. A concave mirror with a convex mirror welded on the inside. 3. A smaller concave mirror stamped out in the center of the main concave mirror. Right-hand side page: experiment with soldering multiple brooch pins.

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Contemporary Society Survival Kit

Exploring how we preserve our authenticity within rigid societal standards, Zoe uses humorous interactive pieces to provoke emotions relating to the self: self-isolation, self-hate and so on. She explores the tumultuous, non-linear journey of self-discovery by alternating betw...

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