ABSTRACT
I draw upon the stories of people who have experienced nostalgia to identify a sense of belonging to home. I create familiar objects specific to the stories of diasporic peoples to establish a connection between myself and the viewer or wearer, even when I am not present. As a former hotelier adept at initiating conversation, the goal of this work is to serve as a communication mediator, a way to find mutual interests among people in a proactive way.
This thesis addresses the following questions: Can jewelry build networks of connection across time and space? How does the format of jewelry impact the relationship between the wearer and the object? Can I project a feeling of nostalgia to help people process disconnection from home? I anticipate changes in behavior and attitude from the wearers as they reestablish a connection to home through jewelry.
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![连花清瘟 (Lian Hua Qing Wen) is a brooch, made with empty pill package and encased the gold-plated silver pill.](/sites/default/files/styles/full/public/2021-05/6_web.jpg?itok=UrP9CJsT)
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![detail photo3](/sites/default/files/styles/full/public/2021-05/9_web.jpg?itok=jiX8p0le)
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![detail photo2](/sites/default/files/styles/full/public/2021-05/7_web.jpg?itok=YuXeSk14)
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![detail photo4. Brooch on the body](/sites/default/files/styles/full/public/2021-05/16_web.jpg?itok=jO4lGIgw)
连花清瘟 (Lian Hua Qing Wen)
14 kt plated silver, 24kt plated silver, foil, found plastic, stainless steel
3.5"x2"x3/4
2021
“To me, belongingness is a person. Because of this person and the relationship I have with this person, wherever the person is, it becomes a place somewhere I feel safe, accepted, forgiven and then supported.”
from Baotou, currently in Los Angeles, United States
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![乌龙茶 (Oolong Tea) , this is a neckalce with handfabricated tea bag and tea bag tag, both plated with 14kt gold.](/sites/default/files/styles/full/public/2021-05/2_web.jpg?itok=oYh1Burh)
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![teabag](/sites/default/files/styles/full/public/2021-05/3_web.jpg?itok=fm0SIz8j)
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![teabag tag](/sites/default/files/styles/full/public/2021-05/4_web.jpg?itok=q78_4Vk-)
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![乌龙茶 (Oolong Tea), holding on palm.](/sites/default/files/styles/full/public/2021-05/DXu_%E4%B9%8C%E9%BE%99%E8%8C%B6%20%28Oolong%20Tea%29_5.7.jpg?itok=MEv1atdb)
乌龙茶 (Oolong Tea)
14 kt plated copper, silver
13"x5"x1/2"
2021
“The Oolong tea my dad got me three years ago. I haven't seen my dad in three years. I keep the tea in my freezer. I feel secure when I know it's there, even though it expired a long time ago.”
From Xiamen, currently in Boston, United States
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![邮编435000 (Please return to 435000) is a bracelet encased in a handmade clamshell box](/sites/default/files/styles/full/public/2021-05/_W7A0097_edit.jpg?itok=q8zPO3NA)
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![detail photo (1) of 邮编435000 (Please return to 435000)](/sites/default/files/styles/full/public/2021-05/_W7A0092_edit.jpg?itok=my0naCcd)
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![detail photo (3) of 邮编435000 (Please return to 435000)](/sites/default/files/styles/full/public/2021-05/_W7A0137_edit.jpg?itok=0iFXVUq1)
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![邮编435000 (Please return to 435000) on body (2)](/sites/default/files/styles/full/public/2021-05/_W7A0228_edit.jpg?itok=iyKviqC6)
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![邮编435000 (Please return to 435000) on body](/sites/default/files/styles/full/public/2021-05/_W7A0189_edit.jpg?itok=gyD216uC)
邮编435000 (Please return to 435000)
Silver, book cloth, davey board
Bracelet: 7"x4"x1/8"
Box: 9"x5 ⅛" x1"
2021
“Food reminds me of the feeling and environment of being at home and makes me feel safe and secure. Even if it's just a smell or an object or just a feeling. It helps me feel calm in the midst of anxiety.”
From Wuhan, currently in Providence, United States
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![22.5431° N, 114.0579° E is a locket necklace, this is the open view.](/sites/default/files/styles/full/public/2021-05/DXu_22.5431%C2%B0%20N%2C%20114.0579%C2%B0%20E_3.2.jpg?itok=bZKsNv7P)
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![22.5431° N, 114.0579° E on the body, closed locket view.](/sites/default/files/styles/full/public/2021-05/DXu_22.5431%C2%B0%20N%2C%20114.0579%C2%B0%20E_3.6.jpg?itok=-xzlRZsU)
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![22.5431° N, 114.0579° E on the body, open locket view](/sites/default/files/styles/full/public/2021-05/DXu_22.5431%C2%B0%20N%2C%20114.0579%C2%B0%20E_3.7.jpg?itok=if_IK7g8)
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![22.5431° N, 114.0579° E open view, closed up](/sites/default/files/styles/full/public/2021-05/DXu_22.5431%C2%B0%20N%2C%20114.0579%C2%B0%20E_3.8.jpg?itok=TeeV3c4f)
22.5431° N, 114.0579° E
Silver, lenticular print, seawater pearl
13"x2'1"
2021
“I’ve been away from home for over ten years. It’s 120 months, and 3653 days of my life. If someone had told me that I would spend over a decade in the United States, I would never have believed it.”
From Shenzhen, currently in Providence, United States
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![베개 [begae] (Pillow), cover by pillow case](/sites/default/files/styles/full/public/2021-05/DXu_%E1%84%87%E1%85%A6%E1%84%80%E1%85%A2%20%5Bbegae%5D%20%28Pillow%29_1.4.jpg?itok=sRPk89in)
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![베개 [begae] (Pillow) full image](/sites/default/files/styles/full/public/2021-05/DXu_%E1%84%87%E1%85%A6%E1%84%80%E1%85%A2%20%5Bbegae%5D%20%28Pillow%29_1.3.jpg?itok=OunUbrt2)
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베개 [begae] (Pillow)
3d printed Resin, copper, powder coating, stainless steel, cotton linen
3"x2"x1"
2021
Q: “Is there something special that you brought from home?”
A: “I brought homemade granola made by my mom. I also brought my favorite pillow.”
From South Korea, currently in Los Angeles, United States
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![鳳梨酥 [fènɡ lí sū] (Pineapple shortcake) detail](/sites/default/files/styles/full/public/2021-05/DXu_%E9%B3%B3%E6%A2%A8%E9%85%A5%20%5Bfe%CC%80n%C9%A1%20li%CC%81%20su%CC%84%5D%20%28Pineapple%20shortcake%29_6.2.jpg?itok=B_l7J9XT)
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![鳳梨酥 [fènɡ lí sū] (Pineapple shortcake) detail (ingredients tag)](/sites/default/files/styles/full/public/2021-05/DXu_%E9%B3%B3%E6%A2%A8%E9%85%A5%20%5Bfe%CC%80n%C9%A1%20li%CC%81%20su%CC%84%5D%20%28Pineapple%20shortcake%29_6.3.jpg?itok=cjs6sP4X)
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![鳳梨酥 [fènɡ lí sū] (Pineapple shortcake) necklace on body](/sites/default/files/styles/full/public/2021-05/DXu_%E9%B3%B3%E6%A2%A8%E9%85%A5%20%5Bfe%CC%80n%C9%A1%20li%CC%81%20su%CC%84%5D%20%28Pineapple%20shortcake%29_6.6.jpg?itok=li5a__HS)
鳳梨酥 [fènɡ lí sū] (Pineapple shortcake)
Silver, copper, vitreous enamel
13"x7"x1/8"
2021
Q: “What would you do if you are homesick?”
A: “Make food that reminds me of home or find a Taiwanese restaurant nearby!”
From Taiwan, currently in Greece