Thesis (MA(VA))--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis investigates adults who play. Through my investigation, I discovered that play for adults is not distraction or a waste of time as is generally accepted. It is a basic need and necessary for survival. Although there are different forms of play, such as sport matches, hobbies and gambling, I specifically focus on play where objects can be created. This type of play is inherently more creative and stimulates lateral thinking.
In play there is a freedom and safe environment which is not necessarily tied to reality. At the same time it is a self-reflective discovery process which stimulates brain activity. In my practice I use plastic bags as an accessible and malleable material to design and make contemporary jewellery. It is a way to act as an active agent in the world, rather than a passive consumer. The discussion of my art pieces forms the primary research of the thesis and is supported by theoretical research.
In the process of making a deeper understanding and knowledge is extracted, which can be established through ritual play. New connections are formed in the brain and contrasting ideas can be linked which would otherwise not have happened. Play has value because it does not only stay in ‘play state’. It can spill over to the confrontation, questioning and uniting of the sociological, economical, cultural and political contrasts in my immediate South African environment. Consequently play contributes to our ability to adapt, process everyday contradictions (such as social inequality) and find creative solutions. Furthermore, it possesses the potential to contribute to our social wellbeing, happiness, trust, the will to share and to live empathetically. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis handel oor volwassenes wat speel. Deur my ondersoek ontdek ek dat spel vir volwassenes nie afleiding of ʼn mors van tyd is soos algemeen aanvaar word nie. Dit is ʼn behoefte en noodsaaklik vir oorlewing. Alhoewel daar verskillende vorme van spel is, soos byvoorbeeld sportkragmetings, stokperdjies, dobbelary, fokus ek spesifiek op spel waar objekte gemaak word. Dié tipe spel is inherent kreatief en stimuleer laterale denke.
In spel is daar is ʼn vryheid en veilige ruimte wat nie met die werklikheid verenig hoef te word nie, maar terselfdertyd is dit ʼn self-refleksiewe ontdekkingsproses wat breinaktiwiteite verhoog. In my praktyk maak ek gebruik van plastieksakke as toeganklike en vervormbare materiaal om kontemporêre juweliersware te ontwerp en te maak. Dit is ’n manier om as ʼn aktiewe agent in die wêreld op te tree, eerder as ’n passiewe verbruiker. Die bespreking van my kunswerke vorm die primêre navorsing van die tesis en word ondersteun deur teoretiese navorsing.
In die maakproses word daar ʼn dieper begrip en kennis ontgin wat vasgelê kan word deur rituele spel. Nuwe konneksies word in die brein gevorm en kontrasterende idees kan verbind word wat nie andersins sou plaasvind nie. Spel is waardevol omdat dit nie net in die ‘spel toestand’ bly nie. Dit kan oorspoel na die konfrontasie, bevraagtekening en vereniging van sosiologiese, ekonomiese, kulturele en politiese kontraste in my onmiddellike Suid-Afrikaanse omgewing. Gevolglik dra spel by tot ons vermoë om aan te pas, alledaagse teenstrydighede (soos sosiale ongelykheid) te verwerk en kreatiewe oplossings te vind. Dit besit verder die potensiaal om by te dra tot ons sosiale welstand, gelukkigheid, vertroue, die wil om te deel en empaties te lewe.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/86664 |
| Date | 04 1900 |
| Creators | Labuschagne, Elizabeth Jacomina |
| Contributors | Terreblanche, Carine, Kaden, Marthie, Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Visual Arts. |
| Publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | af_ZA |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 127 p. : ill. |
| Rights | Stellenbosch University |
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