Sophia Weitzman
Exhausted Hands
Prompt: For this assignment, the class was tasked to write a research paper about a material with narrative elements. The material came from what would be utilized in our corresponding studio project which highlighted "trashion" and upcycling fabrics. My professor made it very clear to include our voices in these pieces, completely changing my idea of what a research paper could be. Through this piece, I wanted to not only tell a story of lace but my story as well.
Written after the 2024 election results were announced, I found myself entirely engulfed in my own thoughts and largely missing any type of hope. The idea for this paper was sparked on a walk around the East Village, as my look of despair matched all those who passed me on the street. The story of lace’s creation fascinated me almost as much as the women who were forgotten that we should be crediting to this material’s continuing popularity. Much of my family history is forgotten and unknown to me, though I look for it in everything around me. It was a challenge to connect all of these ideas into one piece, but I tried my best.