DOI
https://doi.org/10.25772/N9BT-A625
Defense Date
2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Fine Arts
Department
Dean's Office Qatar
First Advisor
Diane Derr
Second Advisor
Rab McClure
Third Advisor
Ryan Browning
Fourth Advisor
Michael Wirtz
Abstract
Into Thick Air argues that cultural practices can inspire solutions
to challenging modern problems. This project employs the Basant
festival as a case study to critically reimagine kite flying as a
collective practice with the potential to contribute to the reduction
of air pollution in Lahore, a city consistently ranked among those
with the poorest air quality globally. By building kites from fabric
treated with nanoparticle coatings, Into Thick Air transforms a
traditional community activity into an accessible, citizen-driven
method for removing pollutants from the air. The treated kites
empower Lahoris to take charge of their environment while
encouraging collective action and community-driven change. Into
Thick Air proposes a framework for linking cultural practices to
innovative solutions, demonstrating how local traditions can inspire
effective responses to wicked problems.
Rights
© The Author
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
5-7-2025