FIRST CUT

Probing into a personal narrative, through this design I aim to display ‘transformation with the passing of time’. I have worked towards expressing the physical, emotional and intellectual movement from attachment to detachment (in the light of being independent) through my life. Transferring and collaging childhood photographs of myself on the occasion of my birthdays with my family, I have aspired to show progressive detachment and independence with the passing of each birthday.

This has been represented by the cutting of the cake, juxtaposed with the idea of cutting of the umbilical cord. The string of the balloon is meant to symbolise the umbilical cord which gets shorter with each progressive birthday and is finally seen flying away, showing the ultimate detachment or the final cut . 

One common design element seen running throughout, to reinforce this concept is the use of the womb within the birthday balloons. Other contrasting elements present are the tying and untying of knots with balloon strings and the amniotic fluid resembling confetti in a party, all of which are strategically layered. These antithetical placements elicit certain antithetical emotions prevalent, through this process.