CI EXHIBITION: MASK
Theme: “BROKEN WINDOWS THEORY”
Name: COMFORT IN DECAY
COURSE: MSJ 11211 MASS COMMUNICATION
BACKGROUND OF THE THEME:
The Broken Windows Theory refers to the idea that every issue that goes unattended in a given situation, influences individuals' frame of mind towards that condition and prompts further issues.
The theory was first introduced by James Q. Wilson and George L. Kelling. Through this, policing methods have been shaped in a way to better the society of minor crimes that shall not lead to more grave crimes.
Our basic understanding is that it is an appropriate rephrasal of “prevention is better than cure” put into a theory. An act of disruption causes people to judge it, overlook it and to some extent invites people to start following the same path. Unless that act is suppressed and prohibited in its early stages it will only scatter and thus it will become normalized and incite more crimes in the society. Hence, in any sector if there is a small problem or flaw which can be referred to as a “broken window” of the situation, then it will be the initiation of further broken windows until and unless it is prevented.
In theory, it sounds perfect, however in reality it is more difficult to implement it. It has been hotly debated about because there is misuse of this theory in prevention and prohibition of crime especially from that of law enforcement.
THE MESSAGE:
Our take on representing this theory under the rules of the Curriculum Integration is not to display the positive or negative effects of this theory. Rather, we wanted to spread a simple message that our negligence has become a massive barrier which is why the broken windows theory is a failure in proper implementation in the society. We are far too accepting of damage and this is bringing upon constant annihilation to the society.
We believe if the real interference, or the noise according to the elements of communication can be addressed, then we can come up with strategies to make the public aware of it and figure out ways to effectively communicate broken windows policing methods.
PLANNING AND THE PRESENTATION STORY:
We started out with the face of the mask by adding as many layers necessary to smooth it out and gave it a glossy and crisp finish. After sticking it to the black board for support, we constructed a complete layout of our vision. We decided to use an abstract painted background and add small pictures, both symbolic print-outs with messages and photographs of real events and posters. We decided to keep the face of the mask clean and white and the abstract paint had multiple hues between blues, white, yellow and red. Adding mossy grass to the mask would play a vital role in giving out the message and for the aesthetics so we went for it. Also, we planned to lay down a simple model of white staircase made out of cartridge art paper and thin plastic pipe material.
Coming down to how these elements would assemble and help to portray our message, we kept the approach as relatable as possible. Basically, along with the abstract background filled with images of destruction of cars, buildings, of global warming, of the poor and the ordinary people suffering, besides the ordinary practices of sexual abuse, bullying, drug abuse, abuse of political power and money, and bribery we’re trying to show that these are the outcomes of smaller broken windows that lead to bigger forms of destruction due to getting normalized.
The line up of flights of stairs represent us walking away and moving on in life by neglecting, hoping it will all be fine and that these are perhaps not the worst by keeping our heads high and paying no heed to these issues. Us pretending to be alright and maintaining an eminent reputation as a nation on the outer surface is what we tried to show through the clean, white mask. However, the moss that has been scattered along the abstract board, the ruins and decay are slowly creeping up to the edges and sides of the clean surface of the mask - which means that even this clean reputation of ours is becoming tainted and decayed with the reality of all this damage that has spread across society.
Perhaps we have become too used to the surroundings being like this, always adapting to our surroundings by pretending that everything is okay, by being silenced out of fear or silencing the next person to keep shut and move on. This is what is making the implementation of broken windows theory more difficult.
CONSTRUCTION:
Our initial plan was to create a disheveled building, with a broken clock on a tower and a man cleaning a portion of it while people surrounding him are wondering what he is doing. This idea was not executed due to the shortage of time, the requirement of excessive materials and expenses along with it wouldn’t have been worth it. This is because the extent of details that this presentation would require but at the same time the amount of narrative detail it would lack would result in poor representation of this theory on the mask.
Hence we chose to think out of the box and take a different and unique angle. We came up with the title first, and the message along its line birthed the entire flow of ideas.
We decided to roughly paint and texturize the board with acrylic paint in different hues. We splattered some portions to give a splashy effect. We glued small print-outs of the images and assembled in a way that would be visible to the eyes in a not too chaotic manner. A couple of the images were popped out using cardboard underneath so they would stand out more visually. Then we proceeded to add the moss that seemed to scatter from the surrounding of the abstract painted board, creeping up to the face keeping the proportion appropriate. While most of the face was of clean surface, we cut the edges to make it look symmetrical and then put together the simply crafted staircase in a diagonal manner meeting the corners of the board.
The only challenge was putting together the staircase which was initially planned out to be bit more curved. As it was not feasible with the materials at hand, we decided to keep it straight and simple and use enough glue.
The overall mask looked good, though not absolutely as we visualized but we received some positive opinions from our peers, before finally installing it at the exhibition venue.
EXHIBITION:
The CI Exhibition was held at Shilpakala Academy on the 27th of April (Saturday) and we made sure our mask was put up with care before the day of the actual event. Although we made sure our mask was unharmed, it lacked spotlight although we had asked for it. Another mask made its way beside ours and had the light on. The spotlight would have given an artistic finishing and would have looked more photogenic. We had some brilliant spectators and they complimented the finishing of the mask. Once the message explained, they perceived the show positively. Overall, the set-up of the exhibition was satisfactory however if the masks were more well spaced, each mask would have gotten more attention especially for photography.
We had some brilliant spectators and they complimented the finishing of the mask. Once the message explained, they perceived the show positively. Of the spectators, we had the presence of Head of Department of Media Studies and Journalism, Prof. Jude William R. Genilo along with our respected course instructor, Mr. Mahmudun Nabi and other prominent faces among the MSJ faculty. There was a general public - most of them being friends and family invited by the students themselves. Some were from other departments of ULAB. A few foreign visitors also took a look around the exhibition, engaging in discussions that also helped us out in the interviewing portion.
FEEDBACK:
We chose to interview one of the students from the DEH department, a traditional middle-aged mother of archaic beliefs, and one of the foreign visitors who particularly came from Northern Europe. All three interviewees were distinctive in their nature, age, culture, generation and perception. Because of the interview, we could particularly draw a successful relation between the middle aged woman and the theme of our mask. She agreed to being a broken window by being negligent of the damages of the society out of fear of execution and attempting to silence her children to speak up against the oppression in society.
Our intention was to provoke the thought process of our interviewees and their perception of our message in particular and their responses met with our expectations -
1. Can you find the connection of broken window theory to the message we are trying to give? What are your thoughts on our message?
2. Why do you think people choose to neglect?
3. Do you think you’re part of the broken window? If yes, how could you better it?
4. What are your thoughts on the possible implementation of broken windows theory in our society?
5. What other examples would you add to the existing issues that we tried to portray through the images?
6. What element do you think is missing from our mask to deliver this message effectively?
We chose the aforementioned questions as they would bring about different opinions that would reflect different perspectives. We also wanted constructive criticism, hence we chose to add the last couple of questions. The opinions via the answers were positive, encouraging and included more expectation from the law enforcement in acting out righteously. The foreign interviewee suggested that we monitor our civil servants strictly as they abuse their power, and that we should provide follow up news on victims of road crashes and rapes and ensure that cases are carried out honestly to provide justice or fair penalty.
REALIZATION AND CONCLUSION:
Throughout the research, planning, installation process and presentation at the exhibition - every time the message was discussed, it validated the reality more. Each time a spectator was brought in the discussion of our mask, they agreed with our concept and voiced their silenced opinions. By bringing up this angle and such discussion, we, collectively as a team, have realized that there is so much for us to do and that we’ve raised questions to the general audience about their contribution to society. Our strongest outlet is how with simple elements, and minimal expense, we covered this entire concept of being too comfortable in damage and decay.
Our audience received the message well, and keeping the face of the mask clean white gave them a sense of relativity as we are always trying hard to save face and keep up a high reputation regardless of what darkness is truly scattering about underneath and around it.
Perhaps with better lighting, and more precision (especially with the staircase), this mask exhibition would have been spectacular and if there was a next time for us, we would have made sure to focus on these areas.
We are proud to have figured out this theme for the broken windows concept, and we are glad that the message “Comfort in Decay” has been nothing short of inciting thought. We have attached some pictures that were both taken via smartphone and DSLR through sections of the entire process.