Week 1: Self and Identity

Self and Identity

This week we focused on exploring the concepts of "self" and "identity". We began the session by each defining the words and pinning them onto the wall. What I found especially interesting was that the same definitions were used interchangeably for the different words, showing that the concepts of self and identity are not fixed, and actually showing the range of individuality within the room. For example, the sentence "who you are", was found both in both groups of definitions.

We then drew pictures of ourselves with our eyes closed, along with a description of ourselves (such as those that are found on online dating websites), and our classmates had to attempt to match the drawings to the descriptions. I found this activity very thought-provoking, as it not only reminded us that identity goes far beyond outward appearance, but also that the way we perceive ourselves may be very different from how we are perceived by others. The fact that our images were unrecognisable due to being drawn with our eyes closed again seemed to reflect this, showing that the person we see in the mirror may be different from what others see when then look at us.

In the seminar we engaged with and discussed "The Death of the Author" by R. Barthes, which explores the idea that "it is the language that speaks, and not the author" (Barthes., p. 143), which is an interesting idea as it suggests that the meaning of a text is created by the reader, rather than the author. I do not completely agree with this idea, though I find the idea thought-provoking as it challenges the authenticity of a performer's identity. We also studied J. Wright's "Who's Writing This Anyway?", which is an article that similarly discusses ideas of anonymity, especially regarding devised theatre. An idea that I was particularly drawn to in this article is the concept of where meaning is put in a performance. Wright argues that this is what sets performances apart, and I feel like it is similarly important to recognise where meaning is found by the audience, again expressing ideas of individuality.

Whilst on the subject of self and identity, this Danish advert contrastingly explores the links which bind us, rather our defining differences. I believe that this is just as an important concept to explore as individuality, especially in such a divided global society such as ours. Again, I believe this shows the problems that arise when individuality is combined with superiority.

• Danish TV advert, http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2017/01/30/danish-tv-ad-all-that-we-share_n_14504328.html
• R. Barthes, "The Death of the Author", https://blackboard.bangor.ac.uk/bbcswebdav/pid-2321082-dt-content-rid-3840233_1/courses/Combi_UXB2121_UXS2121_201617/Barthes%20Death%20of%20the%20Author.pdf
• J. Wright, "Who's Writing This Anyway?", https://blackboard.bangor.ac.uk/bbcswebdav/pid-2321086-dt-content-rid-3840236_1/courses/Combi_UXB2121_UXS2121_201617/Wright.pdf