Generation pelagia

My strategy is to use an interpretive lens whilst looking at new research materials which allows me to use my practice to invent new ideas, images, and visual design. I have started to dissect data provided by the Ipsos Mori survey, which states interesting correlations between  generations. I found particular interest in the questions which held aspects of family, sexuality and boundaries (relating to movement of immigrants).
I believe this is because it is these aspects can be reduced down to basic human instincts or ethologies. This in turn allows these ethologies to be related to those of my chosen organisms.

Looking at the biological facts of the Velella, Salps, Siphonophores and Pyrosomes, I chose to interpret and  translate some of these human ideations to run parallel with the ethology’s of the organisms. Each organism has its own behaviours and biological constructs. For each spread I chose to alternate between Ipsos Mori Data specialised in Generation Z, and then the organism. This aims to allow the reader to start to correlate their own metaphorical concept between current society in the UK, and the four organisms.
For example, I state that "52% of Baby Boomers think there needs to be greater control on the free movement of people.”. I interpret this as Baby boomers believe in Nations and their boundaries, the control of where people can and cannot live. That free movement should not be totally free. To state alongside this, I focused on the Velella to directly associate with that finding. I state “Velella are pushed by the wind and know no boundaries between waters. They are not affected by water depth nor temperature but are often swept up to the shore where they await death”.

From my habitus, when I consider these two statements against each other I start to think about each species’ behaviour; the Velella get swept throughout the oceans, they find no physical boundaries along the way, no customs or borders as they cross the worldwide seas. However, they have no choice in where the go; so although the Velella are free, they are also unquestionably passive and truly pelagic.
I was shocked at the fact that over 50% of 50-65 year olds believe there should be more restrictions in the movement of people, and believe people, unlike the Velella, have a choice, and right to free movement.
I aim for the reader to think of a wider perspective when they read between each statement and draw up their own conclusions. To focus on the same example of the Velella awaiting their deaths on the shore, it could act as a reminder of those who are taking choices of movement into their own hands; those that flee from danger, those that set sail across the oceans like the Velella, and becoming as fragile and vulnerable as the oceans force them on its course. This analogy then fits into the larger metaphor underpinning my practice; that the tide is the unforgiving strength of nations, governments, dictators, banks and elites.