Thesis Projects

 
2024 Alyssa Morales 2024 Alyssa Morales

Sacred Spaces, Sacred Bodies

This thesis explores the role of spirituality in the lives of Black women and how it intersects with their experiences as women and as members of the Black community. It sheds light on the significant but often overlooked contributions of Black women in spiritual settings, where patriarchal norms tend to diminish their importance. The thesis highlights the symbolism of the female body, especially in relation to the cross. It also looks at how Western spirituality, particularly Christianity, blends with practices unique to Black women, creating a spiritual connection between the soul and God that goes beyond traditional religious practices. Ultimately, the thesis argues that Black Female Spirituality, influenced by Black feminism, offers a transformative perspective on religion, challenging traditional patriarchal structures and reimagining the roles of Black women within these spaces.

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2024 Carly O'Brien 2024 Carly O'Brien

Pearl & the Moon: The Women’s Sphere, Spatial Empowerment, and Femininity

This thesis is immersed in materialist feminism, which critically examines the social and economic structures that perpetuate gender inequality, with a particular focus on the family, domesticity, and motherhood. Utilizing this theory, I will maintain a focus on reclaiming domestic spaces and defining a "feminine" space, as well as examining the association of women with specific spaces such as the kitchen, and expanding these spaces into a celebrated, collaborative, public realm. This endeavor seeks to redefine the characteristics constituting a "feminine" space, considering the intricate dynamics influenced by societal expectations, gender roles, and historical constraints. The design offers spaces to feel safe, to live, to work, and to feel celebrated in a joint community.

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