5 Problems in the World and 5 Magical Everyday Solutions

For my first ever lecture in History of Narratives, we were given an assignment to do. It goes as follows:

"List 5 pressing social or environmental issues facing the community or world today."

Choose 5 everyday objects and draw them. Explain their magical properties and how they solve the problem listed above, either in drawing or text."

This activity was done during the lecture itself and we were split into groups of two to three to discuss. These were the ones my group and I came up with:

Problem 1: Conservatism and intolerance of cultures

Object: shoes

Illustration and explanation:

I honestly feel that the first one we made is really problematic. You suddenly become the other person. So does that mean there are two of the same person in the world at the time? What happens if they ever meet?

Problem 2: Natural disasters and the ensuing wasted destructive energy

Object: syringe

Illustration and explanation:

This one is also a little odd but I do like the bizarre nature of a huge magical syringe sucking up all the destruction. It's cute!

Problem 3: No/little voice and representation of minorities in our society

Object: Conch shell

Illustration:

I don't know how we got in the end to a conch shell, seeing as it is not an everyday object. However I like the idea of distilling memories/thoughts and feelings into an object

Problem 4: Language barrier

Object: A set of chairs and table

Illustration:

Pretty straightforward and I feel it works.

Problem 5: Lack of accessible therapy/ mental health problems

Object: A magic mirror

Illustration:

Clearly a play on the magic mirror from Snow White, the magic mirror gives free and personal counselling in the comforts of your own home. Another simple and effective idea.

Reflection: It was a fun and simple starting exercise to hone our creativity and think about the larger problems in society. Using everyday objects as the basis is also interesting in that we ponder other parallel albeit fantastical ways in which things around us can be viewed or used.