Weight
Content warning: Relating to death/violence
Description
As of October 22, 2024, 44,000 people have died as a direct result of the Israel-Hamas War. When including those who have died due to the aftermath of the destruction, this death toll is estimated to reach over 150,000. Each one of these 150,000 people was a unique individual with dreams and aspirations, fears and curiosities. Each one of these lives has been represented by a bead attached to a segment of a jacket created from the same type fabric used in military coats. The over 150,000 beads used to create this textile also add an immense weight to the piece. This weight is felt by the wearer every second this piece is worn and is only a fraction of the weight of the lives lost to war.
About the Artist
Tristian is a BFA Apparel and Textile design junior with a minor in theatre. Renowned for his innovative use of second-hand materials and found objects, his designs embody a philosophy centered on camp, creativity, and sustainability. He has been featured in many articles, including those by Bored Panda and Starmaker Machine. His award-winning designs have brought him as far as New York Fashion Week, and he is excited to continue his work in the future.
Reflection
The creation of this piece was simply not possible for me at this time without the assistance of the Create! Microgrant. One of the hardest aspects of being an art student is the continued understanding that our portfolio work will be coming from our own pockets. This creates a block for many artists to have the ability to express the themes they wish to explore. The Create! Microgrant has allowed me to access the necessary materials to create this piece of art. When I was creating this piece, the emotional response I had was not something I was expecting. But, as I was looking at the bowls of colorful beads I had spent weeks of my life counting, I too was struck with the feeling I wanted to invoke in the on-looker. The sense of loss, missing, and longing was at times overwhelming. As I continued with the piece, I fell into a sense of meditation, at times becoming woven into the stories of the piece as I was weaving it myself. The experience I had while creating this piece is something that I will cherish forever and I hope the impact it has for others yields the same. This project, funded by the Create! Microgrant, will change the legacy of my work forever and I hope that as the Microgrant continues, it does the same for others as well.
