“Men have their script, books, and texts;they are men of honour. we have our own script, books, and texts; we are women of honour.”
NÜSHU
THESIS PROJECT | SUMMER 2023
Instructor: Damjan Jovanovic | Software: Zbrush, Cinema 4D, Blender, Marvelous Designer, DAZ, Rhino
Award: Gold medal at the 01 NFT | New Media | Experimental | Digital Arts Film Festival
Nüshu is a syllabic script created and used exclusively by women from Yao ethnic tribe in Jiangyong County, Hunan Province, China. The women were forbidden formal education for many centuries and developed the Nüshu script in order to communicate with one another. It is a symbol of female empowerment and cultural heritage.
The secret written language of women, is often written in the format of poems, letters and songs. It serves as an escape and a secret medium for woman to express their pain, sorrow and hope .For hundreds of years, this silent script has been unknown outside of Jiangyong, and it was not known to the outside world until the 1980s.With the death of the last fluent native speaker of the ancient language 16 years ago, this little-known written language is on the brink of extinction.
Historical documentary photos of young girl‘s wedding
Historical documentary photos of Nüshu writing objects
This project aims to create a social media-based digital platform dedicated to preserving Nüshu, exploring its cultural importance, and promoting feminist values.Through the use of a virtual ambassador, the project aims to engage diverse audiences, raise Nüshu awareness, and deepen understanding of its historical significance.
PART1: SKIN
The blend of traditional and contemporary elements in the video fosters a sense of reverence for the language while embracing the digital age's modernity. The first chapter of the video is skin. The stage design is inspired by a historical coin with Nüshu written that says “women under the sky, sisters of one family”.
Ancient Yao women had the custom of tattooing, and they regarded tattoos as a sign of beauty and a way of carrying memories. In Glitch Feminism, the author describes skin as a container. “It is a peel that contains and cradles wildness. It gives shape to bodies. A break, tear, rupture, or cut in skin opens a portal and passageway.” Drawing from a female perspective, I seek to carry the memories of the past and channel them into our digital lives, bridging history with the present, the physical world with the digital realm.
Tattoo traditions of some ethnic minorities in China
A historical coin with Nüshu written that says “women under the sky, sisters of one family”.
PART2: CLOTH
The second chapter is about cloth. Nüshu, a symbol system rich in culture, holds unique value for women. It's built on special characters and beautiful patterns like the "octagonal flower." In Jiangyong, women weaved ballad lyrics on items like handkerchiefs, fans, and belts, turning them into messages of affection.
Ancient Chinese women are often married off to strangers. To offer support to new brides during moments of despair, close friends bound by strong bonds, played a pivotal role in exchanging these secret correspondences, often concealed in textiles.
Weaving is central to their lives, it’s their silent instrument that embroider hopes for a better life.This mix of language, art, and culture highlights Nüshu's significance in preserving and sharing the unique heritage of Jiangyong women.
Nüshu weaving technique
"octagonal flower" pattern
PART3: BIRD
The third chapter is about bird. Nüshu writing has gone through a long history, and some characters retain the characteristics of pictographic characters, some of which are like bird heads, bird bodies and feather ornaments. The Yao is an ethnic group that worships bird totems, and birds are regarded as a symbol of sun and a nobler ethnic group than humans. Using the Nüshu characters to form the structures in this stage, I try to mimic the feathers of birds.
Combining Nüshu and bird totem worship represents freedom's embodiment. It empowers women to break societal boundaries and express themselves freely.
Nüshu character elements
