Lubaba Abbas Kazmi
Carolyn Salas
Space/Materiality: Body
Burger Bacha
Burger Bacha – a playful epithet I was so graciously awarded by my friends back home to remind me that I was a spoilt teenager, oblivious to the daily struggles of the average person. However, I would personally like to believe that I have strayed as far as possible from these connotations especially considering the humble way in which my parents raised me.
This however resulting in a rather confusing upbringing, where I was constantly battling societal expectations while still keeping in mind my parent’s value system. My final project is a reflection of this – I use an amalgamation of garment and sculpture to spotlight the struggles of being an outsider in my own safe space.
Additionally, my piece takes a critical view on social, political and cultural issues., incorporating subjects like music, the politics of Pakistan, animal rights, food, languages and gender equality. While working on this piece I tried to understand why intolerance exists in order to stem its tide. My understanding is that this ignorance breeds from illiteracy and triggers rigidity, extremism, and worst of all, terrorism. The bun is a symbol of a protective shield that provides a constant sense of security and calm, and simultaneously mirrors the aesthetic of a newspaper, an indication of intellect rarely associated with a Burger Bacha.
Growing up, I enjoyed experimenting with styles to create my own unique look as the ability of certain colors and items of clothing to change moods or express emotions has always fascinated me. Fashion is a body language, a non-verbal form of communication, revealing subtle details about the wearer to the observer. This wearable burger is an extension of my personality and an explicit depiction of my thoughts. The idea of a wearable burger is reminiscent of a costume for themed parties for children or adults which is an interesting stylistic juxtaposition considering the heaviness of my theme.
This non-conventional burger is made with different fabrics to add layers mimicking how I view my personality. The texture of the material evokes a sense of comfort. Much like my personality, it is strong, but can be reshaped.
