Arts Thread

The research focuses on the conflict between the perception of diamonds as stones that convey wealth and prestige and the curse associated with their mining - blood diamonds. Diamonds are hard minerals composed of pure carbon. This crystal belongs to the Cubic Crystal system and occurs in nature as an octahedron or cube. To make a diamond luxurious, it needs to undergo numerous processing and polishing processes. For many people in countries rich in diamonds, these shimmering stones are more of a curse than a blessing. Often, diamond mines around the world not only produce diamonds but also give rise to civil wars, violence, exploitation of workers, environmental degradation, and unimaginable human suffering. In the eyes of many, diamonds symbolize reliability and wealth, the perfect gift of love, owing to the uniqueness of each diamond. On the other hand, people involved in diamond production receive very low wages, and in addition to that, there is involvement in illegal trade, with huge amounts of money at stake. Operating methods include exploiting the local population, bribery, threats, torture, and murder. This is why these diamonds are referred to as "blood diamonds." I create luxurious textiles from natural materials such as cotton, linen, silk, and stones from nature, with African-inspired shades and motifs. I focus on the contrast between the luxurious world of diamonds and the process of mining stones beneath the earth, highlighting the disparity between wealth and poverty.