GRRR intends to add to existing efforts toward better understanding the complex relationship between youth, self-expression and crime. It is for the “badly behaved” youth, lost in lower-tracked classes, who fall through the cracks of our education system and just need someone to listen to their frustrations. This year long project was a frustrating journey of learning to value the process of expression in my own work, to be able to empower other young people to do the same.
Empowering Youth Through Mark Making
“How might we empower disengaged youth to express their emotions through mark making?” The final response to this research question was a 1.5m x 2m double sided canvas covered in layers of acrylic paint. Each side represents the comparative experience of expression as a child versus as an adult, intending to highlight that how we nurture our youth as children, sets them up for how they are as adults.
Material Testing
Experimenting with materials was an important process throughout this project. Countless trials highlighted how materials and application can either inhibit or empower self-expression. Working on a small scale inhibits, while working on a large scale empowers. Working with markers inhibit, playing with spray paint empowers.
Expression as a child
The first workshop involved children aged 11 to 17 years old, with experiences of ADHD and perfectionism that have created frustration when it comes to their learning. The key finding from this workshop was simply how easy it was for younger people to express themselves through throwing paint at a canvas. The children found this process very fun and playful.
Expression as an adult
The second set of workshops involved young adults aged 19 to 30 years old, with experiences ranging from disengagement, anger management, perfectionism and criminal activity. The key finding from these workshops was the shear contrast in how hesitant older people were to express themselves through throwing paint at a canvas. Often finding it difficult to just let go and experiment, when we get older it seems we get more in our head and need a clear idea otherwise we freeze up. The young adults found this process challenging but therapeutic.
GRRR AR Triggers
Handmade AR triggers that lean into the tagging art style used by youth as a common form of self-expression.
The GRRR Process (AR Experience)
Documenting the process of research and design developments, inspired the core intention behind this project as a whole. The final outcome of this project as a result, aims to highlight this. Taking focus away from the final product being the canvas and emphasis the process as the outcome, an AR experience has been created. Viewers investigate the canvas, finding ‘GRRR’ triggers that they can scan with their web AR viewer. Viewers then get an insight into the mark making process and the thoughts behind it through key videos.
Savanah Murtough, Empowering Youth Through Mark Making
Savanah Murtough, Material Testing
Savanah Murtough, Expression as a child
Savanah Murtough, Expression as an adult
Savanah Murtough, GRRR AR Triggers
Savanah Murtough, The GRRR Process (AR Experience)
In the spirit of reconciliation Monash University acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.
