During the research stage of my project, I found there was significant emphasis on the external factors of being human- with lectures and readings focusing on the importance of society, social hierarchy, technology etc on our individual experience. However, I approached ‘being human’ from the inside out- starting with our innate tendencies, which I reviewed through Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. This shows what we, as humans, require in order to survive and prosper. I wanted to test his order of what is most important through comparing physiological needs (level 1) e.g. food and shelter, with the need for love and belonging (level 3). I began by documenting the beds I had slept in for 12 days, my comfort level and the impact on my day. I also documented my food, and used these photos in my collages. I then reviewed my personal response to human connection, documenting my mood after being alone for hours, and when being in constant company.
Whilst not neglecting the fact that physiological needs are necessary to survive, I found that my mood was most affected by my interactions with others, and I will pursue my project by exploring human touch and connection- as ‘being human’ is not to be examined individually, humans are a species that rely on others . This is something that we’ve been forced to realise following the isolating times that we’re in, and I hope to shed light on this through my final garment.