Sharing an Aotearoa-Indian perspective through digital-rangoli, experimental cultural experiences in contemporary New Zealand public : an exegesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Design at Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand

Abstract

The migration of my family from India to Aotearoa brought a range of traditional values and practices with them including the art of rangoli. The aim of this research is to use motion design as a public intervention within a threshold to reveal interstices for future generations facing kōrero. A threshold, which is a liminal space activated to reveal ‘digital rangoli’ — experimental animation that can explore ideas of whakapapa and tūrangawaewae as an Aotearoa-Indian. The results of this practice often represent acceptance, reflection, and a perspective that can illuminate new pathways into our future. This process has allowed me to understand and unpack many presumptions that are often made of Indians in Aotearoa New Zealand. With autoethnography as my method, I collect knowledge through audio and written reflection, journaling, sketching, motion experiments, and photography. In this research I piece together these findings in such a way that discusses the progress of my digital rangoli experiment in relation to significant moments of my life that elapsed during my postgraduate studies. Identity is something that we all grapple with at our own capacities. This project seeks to offer third culture kids of various backgrounds alternative ways of viewing their own whakapapa through the application of art and design.