Personal Progression Project & Manifesto

Personal Progression Project

For my personal progression project, I decided to approach the issues of self-hatred & destruction. Coming up with the base idea for this project, I was inspired by the phrase “Idle hands are the devil’s work” which is a common saying where I grew up. Comparing this concept and phrase, I wanted to reflect on the self-destruction that is caused when you are unable to love yourself. This issue is something that everyone deals with at points in their life, I find it to be relatable and therapeutic to approach it myself. When caught in these moments, one becomes idle and neglectful to themselves.

With this idea, I had the vision to display these issues through fairy rings. Fairy rings are mushroom formations that grow in various terrains and according to English and Celtic myths, when stepped inside these formations, they can bring hexes and curses unto the person who entered. On one website where I did research, they referred to a fairy ring as “the place where the devil churns his butter”. With this, the connection between the phrase “Idle hands are the devil’s work” is created and can be seen that you are at your worst when you are doing the least: henceforth self-hatred. In my own vision, I wish to display someone trapped, motionless, within a fairy ring, displaying the inner turmoil they are stuck due to their self-hatred and destructive tendencies as if it were a curse put onto them. As an outcome of this project, I know I want it to be fairly sound driven, but it could conclude in multiple different ways. For the sound, I want it to be representative of what I think the issues in the concept would sound like, start peaceful but grow and change in the representation of the emotions that come with this self-hatred. (Maintaining ambiance mostly)

Manifesto

In my manifesto, I decided to relate it to my personal progression project in the sense of self-destruction and superstition. For each point, I wish to use a different superstitious phrase, phrases if broken, can lead to self-destruction. Underneath each phrase, I will write about how this can connect to my practice and how I can use it to my benefit.

Examples:

1. Idle Hands are the Devil’s Work 
2. Knock on wood 
3. Karma 
4. Break a mirror 
5. Cross your fingers 
6. Beginners Luck 
7. Bad Luck Comes in Threes