Notes on Young Women
Claire Dong
Historically, 16th-century salons were forums for the wealthy and famous. Within these social events women were often hosts and used these opportunities as a way of participating in higher education and debate. Inspired by this reclamation of power, I hosted a similar event with my own female friends. Centering the event around the beauty of feminine relationships, emotional connections and intimate discussions. As I was creating a newfound version of the salon, I wanted to incorporate another aspect that would connect this event to the current digital age. Phone notes are the most personal pieces of self expression someone can have today. Your phone follows you throughout your day, instilling a new sense of privacy. Unfinished texts, rants about frustrations, musings, and dreams, these are the unspoken things that people expect to be private but within anonymity they feel comfortable to share. These notes were used as conversation starters allowing for the women to share their perspectives and build on to these deeply personal ideas.
Notes on Young Women is a collection of books that document the modern salon. The trio of books live within each other, dialogue and notes app text wrap around the photos taken at the event. Finally, at the center, are drawings and musings left by the participants.
Through this project I was able to understand the importance of female friendships, and the need to create safe spaces for women. I hope this salon is able to encourage other women to speak and feel unapologetically.