The Umbilicus
Magnificence of the Mundane
*This project won second place in ‘The Creative Changemakers’ competition.
Magnificence of the Mundane
*This project won second place in ‘The Creative Changemakers’ competition.
Publication
+ Photography
+ Photography
The Brief
Choose a mundane artefact or routine that interests you. It could be a drawing pin, a corkscrew or a handheld compass for example. What is important is that it intrigues you and there is a story to tell.
The Concept
What’s more mundane than the bellybutton, an area of the body usually ignored, gathering dust and going unused. With a purpose that early in the conception of a person is extremely important, later becomes void.
Choose a mundane artefact or routine that interests you. It could be a drawing pin, a corkscrew or a handheld compass for example. What is important is that it intrigues you and there is a story to tell.
The Concept
What’s more mundane than the bellybutton, an area of the body usually ignored, gathering dust and going unused. With a purpose that early in the conception of a person is extremely important, later becomes void.
The Narrative
The belly button holds cultural and symbolic significance across many societies, often representing birth and the connection to life. In some traditions, it even plays a role in religious or spiritual practices. The books story outlines an interview with my mother and my grandmother, bridging the gap between the three generations. Sharing perspectives on their own bellybuttons, its shape, cleanliness, the umbilical cord and motherhood. It’s a conversation that connects matrilineal lines together.
The belly button holds cultural and symbolic significance across many societies, often representing birth and the connection to life. In some traditions, it even plays a role in religious or spiritual practices. The books story outlines an interview with my mother and my grandmother, bridging the gap between the three generations. Sharing perspectives on their own bellybuttons, its shape, cleanliness, the umbilical cord and motherhood. It’s a conversation that connects matrilineal lines together.
The Design
The photobook showcases photos from all three individuals from the narrative sharing the visual lines of one’s bellybutton, how it’s effected with age, its unkempt nature that represents so much beauty. The images are paired with a matching background exposing the textures of the skin.
The book has a soft fabric cover to tactfully represent the intimacy and softness of the subject, and a reminder to always remember your connections to others.
The photobook showcases photos from all three individuals from the narrative sharing the visual lines of one’s bellybutton, how it’s effected with age, its unkempt nature that represents so much beauty. The images are paired with a matching background exposing the textures of the skin.
The book has a soft fabric cover to tactfully represent the intimacy and softness of the subject, and a reminder to always remember your connections to others.