Faculty of Design

Material Art & Design

Ariana Katsigiannis

Small Pinky Ring

Modelling by Aysha RazaPhotography by Beth Aramos

“Embracing an introspective approach towards bodily awareness, Ariana uses jewellery as a remedial method to desensitize her personal trauma response to lighting. Subject to complex trauma in her formative years within a setting with orange-coloured light, her subconscious brain presently relates the lighting colour to the past trauma. If exposed to orange lighting, her fight-or-flight defense system is alerted causing anxiety and panic. While her conscious (rational) brain is aware that she is safe, her subconscious (emotional) brain associates the lighting with the former trauma and incorrectly believes it to be the perpetrator of harm. Using orange gemstones associated with the triggering lighting, Ariana has fabricated a collection of polished-silver prong-set rings and necklaces. The collection is comprised of circular forms that curve into round cubic zirconia gemstones to metaphorically articulate the cycle of abuse and the stone interrupting the cycle. Actively wearing the pieces as research in overcoming her trauma, Ariana has worked to align the rational and emotional parts of her brain by creating a gentle reminder that the threat has passed. Deferring her attention towards the gemstone while in an environment with distressing lighting, she regulates disconnect between her rational (prefrontal cortex) and emotional brain (amygdala). This practice strengthens the ability of the frontal lobes to self-monitor and correctly differentiate between past and present threat. Mindful engagement with the work creates a tactile buffer that orients reactivity and rational thought. The experiment has worked to redirect the intangible association with lighting into a tangible and therapeutic form. ”