Statement Nails. Female fingertips as a tool of self-empowerment

Theme:

Pop Cultures

Dates:

8.10.20 - 15.10.20

Location:

online

Q&A with Judith Mair

Photo: https://www.islaberlin.com

In the current design discourse, nail design appears, if at all, as an example of failed low design. But if we look closer, we discover a design that inherently combines diverse social and cultural debates. A new generation of young women has discovered nails as a pop cultural-shaped communication tool: in, and literally on, their hands, it becomes a remix of zeitgeist, creativity, humorous self-reflection, political banner, and third-wave feminism.

Judith Mair is a lecturer in the specialization Trends & Identity at the design department of ZHdK and an expert for popular culture between the poles of research and design.

Authors website:

https://www.zhdk.ch/person/156869

Keywords:

#nails, #nailfie, #visualculture, #nailsofinstagram, #culturalcoding

 

 

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Statement Nails. Female fingertips as a tool of self-empowerment | by Judith Mair

 

 

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Dolly Parton and Patti LaBelle playing music with their acrylic nails.

 

 

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New York rapper Leikeli47 released an entire album in 2018, which revolves around the set and setting of artificial fingernails.

 

 

ISLA Nails
ISLA is a female space in Berlin by and for women where they can get their nails done, shop streetwear, join a workshop or listen to music.
Credits
https://www.instagram.com/islaberlin/
https://islaberlin.com/

 

 

Liv Thurley
Handy Work. Editorial by Liv Thurley for Polyester magazine, issue 6, 2017
Credits
http://www.livthurley.com/work.html
https://www.instagram.com/livthurley/?hl=de

 

 

WAH Nails & Beautystack
Ten years of tailor-made nail designs from London.
Credits: Beautystack
https://www.beautystack.com
https://www.instagram.com/beautystackgang/
@beautystackgang