Paeng Mae (A Mother's Beloved): An Autoethnographic Exploration into Communicating Sustainability Values in Animated Form

Abstract

This research project is a practice-based exploration of how Lao cultural values can be used to communicate sustainability issues in animated form. An autoethnographic inquiry into the researcher’s values regarding sustainability drew upon significant memories that have shaped their perspective. Reflective practice was used as a framework for critically reflecting upon these experiences and the process of developing the emerged values into visual form. The creative outcome is a short 2D animated film titled Paeng Mae (A Mother’s Beloved), portrayed within the context of the researcher’s cultural background to commemorate their Lao ancestral heritage. Ideation and iterative drawing served as practical tools to assist the creation of the animated film. These methods aligned with the overarching nature of autoethnography and reflective practice as methodologies that enable the researcher to critique their creative choices and uncover a deeper understanding of themselves. The film, ultimately, became not only a lens through which the researcher explored their sustainability values, but also a statement offering alternative narratives of sustainability, grounded in cultural specificity. Through these alternative portrayals, this research aims to contribute to the discourse on sustainability by broadening how the concept is commonly perceived and engaged with, especially considering the urgent challenges posed by our climate crisis.