Jiangyao (Echo) Shen
Nüshu
Language preservation, Digital platform, Feminist empowerment
Nüshu, a unique and captivating script developed exclusively by women in the remote Jiangyong County of Hunan Province, China, holds within its delicate characters a remarkable tale of female empowerment and cultural heritage. This thesis aims to create a digital platform situated on Instagram that preserves the Nüshu language, explores its cultural context, and promotes feminist ideals. Through the architectural intervention of a virtual girl serving as the ambassador for this language, the project seeks to engage diverse audiences, raise awareness about Nüshu, and foster a deeper understanding of its historical significance. By intertwining the cultural heritage of Nüshu, the rich traditions of the Yao ethnic tribe, and the feminist spirit, this thesis project aims to design a cohesive narrative that celebrates resilience, empowerment, and linguistic diversity.
The primary audience for this project encompasses individuals with an interest in language preservation, cultural heritage, women's history, and contemporary feminist movements. This includes architects, designers, scholars, cultural preservationists, local communities, and enthusiasts of Chinese culture. By conceptualizing the digital platform within the context of Instagram, the project aims to engage younger demographics who are familiar with social media platforms, as well as the Nüshu community, native speakers, descendants of Nüshu users, and members of the Yao ethnic tribe.
The digital platform will be designed as a series of interconnected virtual spaces, each dedicated to specific aspects of Nüshu, cultural heritage, and feminist empowerment. The spaces will exhibit curated collections of Nüshu characters, historical objects, Yao ethnic tribal clothing, and visual representations of bird totem worship. These immersive environments will evoke a sense of cultural immersion, allowing users to explore and engage with the narratives through interactive features, audiovisual displays, and user-generated content.