Don't Worry, Be Sad
An Artistic Interpretation of the Tyranny of Positivity

My work explores the relationship between the positive-thinking movement and the media, and is influenced by surrealism and dadaism.

In recent times, it has become highly fashionable to force positivity. Happiness is correlated solely with exposure to positive media and anything or anyone outside of that is seen as pathetic.

However, emotions like sadness, guilt, grief and anger are beacons for our values. We don’t get angry or feel sad about things we don’t care about. When we push these emotions away, we choose to ignore our values.

There will always remain flails with negative opinions attacking us, but by choosing to accept them, we emerge stronger and more beautiful.

MOOD BOARD

IDEA DEVELOPMENT

Most of my concepts revolved around the influences of social media, the emotional attitudes of people and motherhood.

3D MODELING

Model to be printed was created with Meshmixer and Fusion 360, after in ear scans were completed. This was followed by fit tests which proved to be successful.

FINAL EXHIBIT

The final form took the shape of a flail on one end to indicate the painful nature of negativity and some beautiful yellow roses on the other to show that you could grow through the pain. The model was hand-painted after 3D printing.

Below: 3D print parts affixed in the bath during support removal.

Below: Before painting.

Below: Finished exhibit