Onduko Yange Ame…
Date: 2023
Duration: 5 months
Project Type: Research document, installation editorial, graphic design.
Onduko Yange Ame.. means ‘My Name Is..’ in Umbundu.
This project explores the significance of names inspired by traditional Angolan naming practices, examining how names underwent changes during the colonial era, influenced by simplification and Christianisation.
Colonialism has had a big impact on personal name identities, revealing challenges in pronunciation and a lack of recognition. This highlights the integral role names play in our identity, and the disconnection that occurs when our bodies aren’t recognized in relation to our names.
My research looks into the intricate ways names are shaped through disciplines such as onomastics, sociolinguistics, anthropology, and cultural diversity.
Project book (a5 format)
Research document (a4 format)
The Process
I began to view names as powerful tools to navigate through life, questioning their connection within the fields of linguistics and sociology. In this project, I aimed to briefly highlight key points derived from my passion of exploring my original name Olgelica and general name identities. I used a Miro board to map out and archive my thoughts and findings to later on create a visual component to my theoretical research.
In this short presentation I shared my findings and motivation to develop a project about the Importance of names.
I asked myself questions to create a clear starting point to develop my research and design concept.
Inspired by various sources I discovered that the story of names is rather complex and could not be told without involving history, culture etc.
Think of people who I could interview to create a story about the history and names in the context of Angola.
With my interests in concrete poetry, holistic events about names, collages and graphic design, I watch searching for ways to visualise names and languages.
Here are a few inspiring images that helped me to create an Idea of what I wanted to make or build based on my conducted research.
Here are a few images that helped me to create an Idea of what kind of publication I would like to make based on my conducted research.
Here are a few questions I asked my peers after presenting my process and ideas.
Reflection
It was challenging research to create clear bridges on the importance of names. I learned about how names can change due to religion but also pondered upon how one can change their name to fit their identity instead of adapting to a given name that does not resonate.
What I would like to do differently in future projects is to create a clear distinction between theoretical research and artistic research. Experiment more with materials and design practices that could reflect the conducted research in a a strong visual presentation
