Jackelope Marionette: 3D Studio

There’s no particular reason that a Jackelope was the first idea to come to mind when given the puppet assignment.  I suspect, there were two possible reasons for inspiration: a recent podcast I listened to or an Autumn homesickness from bunny-laden Michigan.

Initially, I wanted to create a skeletal creature which would closely resemble an anatomical rabbit. Creating the vertebrae out of epoxy turned into more of an ordeal than I had thought it would be. Lack of clear reference photos or access to an actual skeleton made it extremely difficult to create anything passably realistic.  However, the Sculpey teeth I made were quite nice.

Next was the head. I used foil and masking tape to build the bulk of the head.  I then used armature wire and masking tape to build up the antlers and ears. When the basic form was complete, I used an awl to puncture holes in the jaw for teeth, and secure everything in place with epoxy. The ears and antlers were reinforced with epoxy clay as well.

The body was a challenge. I had to compromise between making a form that was more rabbit-like or more human like. I opted for the latter. I wanted the Jackelope to be able to stand on two legs, but with the joint configuration in the hind legs that would allow it to also sit on all fours. Youtube was an invaluable source for figuring out ways to make the joints of the skeleton. I created loops from heavy gauge armature wire to use to latch the joints together. The skeleton frame was then covered in foil and masking tape. I had to pay careful attention to the way the joints would bend. To ensure that the limbs would not move in every direction, I had to build in “stops.” This meant adding layers of foil to ensure that joints only had clearance to move in one direction or the other.

 

 

I made the choice to only make the paws and head of the Jackelope detailed, because everything else would be covered with some sort of fabric. I used epoxy clay to cover the surface of the paws, and scored the surface to give the appearance of fur. I used acrylic paint to cover the surfaces that would be visible.

When faced with the problem of covering the frame I quickly remembered that sewing is awful and I hate it.  3 garments were destroyed in the process of experimentation.  After collapsing in a pile of frustration and fabric scraps, I decided that gutting a stuffed animal would be the easiest option to maintain some amount of my sanity.  The sacrificial stuffed sloth i found was imperfect but usable. The skin and Jackelope frame both required modifications though: the frame was too wide, and the limbs of the skin were too short.  I used a hammer to compress the foil layers in the pelvis and thighs.  For the skin, I extended both the arms and legs using leftover fabric (and minimal sewing). Fuzzy fabric is very forgiving, and I was able to Frankenstein a suit together, plu8s re-use some of the stuffing to make the Jackelpoe pleasantly squeezable.

I was unsure what to do for eyes. Again, I was torn between a realistic or an obviously fabricated solution. I thought about using clay, beads, or just leaving the sockets empty, and then decided to repurpose the eyes of the Sloth. I used Epoxy clay to build up the eye sockets a little more and then put the cloth eyes in place.

The headless Jackelope was quite fun to play with.  I attached some throwaway string to the body, just to see how the puppet would move. Paul Andrejco mentioned during his lecture that puppet creations sort of have a mind of their own.  My headless Jackelope was floppy and grotesque like a raw chicken.  I loved him.

The last issue was attaching the stings to the controller.  The string I was originally using kept tangling or breaking. I ended up getting super thick fishing wire, which once attached, looked like overkill.  I’m not sure what professional puppeteers do to keep their strings from tangling, but I definitely see the fishing wire as a temporary solution for now.

I am very happy with how my puppet turned out.  My favorite aspect of creating 3D work is how tactile it is, and how it invites the viewer to play and explore. I plan to use more 3d elements in my work in the future, but for now, I have a Jackelope to hang out with.

 

 

3D Design Project 2: Wearable prop with too many hands

In the spirit of Halloween, I had an idea to create something eerie, perhaps bordering violent. For me, the mask I created was not meant to transform the wearer, but to absorb them. A multitude of hands reach over the face, obscuring an eye, and cradling the chin. I imagined this mask as a physical manifestation of mental illness, constantly pulling the wearer back into some dark abyss.

To create the mask, I began with a wire frame headband. My boyfriend acted as a *mostly* willing mannequin, who held still while I bent wire around his head and repeatedly (but accidentally) stabbed him with loose wires. The hands were all created individually as well, comprised of wire armatures and masking tape.

I covered both the hands and the headband with foil to build up volume, and used paper pulp to build even more volume. Epoxy clay was used to create fingernails and to hold together some loose joints. The exterior was mostly covered with white paper clay.

Instead of attempting to paint the hands “flesh color,” I wanted to leave them grey and white. The rawness of the paper clay and paper pulp created a wonderful texture that I couldn’t bring myself to cover up.

I imagine my hand mask being used as a movie prop, in dimly lit rooms, and only for split second cut scenes. Hopefully, the quick cut scenes would lead the viewer to question whether or not they actually saw it.

 

Preliminary sketches for possible masks.

       

Ben was less than enthused to model for me after I woke him up to do so.

Spirit animal–Betta Fish

The Betta Fish. Image from https://www.123rf.com/photo_38260406_white-and-blue-siamese-fighting-fish-betta-fish-isolated-on-black-background-.html%5B/caption%5D

 

[caption id="attachment_280" align="alignleft" width="300"] Creating templates for coral borders

Gluing the sides of the box

Adding gold paint to coral, and the completed front cover decal

One winter four years ago, some friends broke into my apartment and left me with a clean kitchen and an aquarium.  The aquarium was home to a Betta fish, red and elegant.  It came with a love not and some care instructions.  I watched it swim, mesmerized.

The Betta Fish is not a glamorous spirit animal.  Despite being beautifully colored and elegant, the Betta is an aggressive fish, unable to coexist with many other creatures. I learned this the hard way, hoping to realize my vision of a lively aquarium.  Other fish were quickly killed, and I would find their remains at the bottom of the tank in the morning.  Shrimp faired much better, as they were small enough too hide amongst the plants, and to swim away quickly when charged.  Snails were also good companions, as they moved too slowly to catch the attention of the Betta, and came with their own protective barrier from any attacks.  Even the Betta’s own reflection was not immune from attacks, as it was perceived as an intruder.  

I empathize with the Bettas need for solitude, it’s territorial nature, it’s fiery demeanor, and it’s colorful display.  With this project, I hoped to capture the regal coloring of the fish and the fluidity of the aquarium. At first glance, the “book” appears to be a simple box with minimal coloring.  I used black cardstock in order to make the colors more vibrant.  Once opened, there is an array of color and texture in reds, greens, and golds in each of the hollowed out sides.   I opted to make a box contraption because I wanted to have the depth to layer paper and to to build volume. By leaving much of the delicate paper partially attached, I allow for movement within the structure.  One can run their fingers through the aquarium plants, or blow air onto the Betta’s fins to make them flutter.   The Betta, floating amongst the plants, retains it’s angry and surprised expression, while still radiant and colorful.

The completed book, in all it’s glory.

Bodys Isek Kingelez’s “City Dreams” at MoMa

Bodys Isek Kingelez, “City Dreams” Exhibit

City Dreams at the MoMa

The gallery space at the MoMa is engulfed in all white, with dimly lit walls and echoing tiled floors.  The display tables are white and curved, evoking a modernist aesthetic as they snake around the room. Atop the tables sit maquettes made of paper, cardboard, soda cans, and recycled packaging.  In a museum that is home to work by arts such as Piet Mondrian, Andy Warhol, and Marcel Duchamp, the work of Bodys Isek Kingelez’s “City Dreams” feels juxtaposed in it’s playfulness. His gallery space is open and inviting.  The intricacies of the buildings’ color and texture beg to be explored.

The 1970’s signaled the end of Belgium ruled Zaire (now the Peoples Republic of Congo), and the beginning of the dictatorship of Mobutu Sese Seko.  This newfound independence was set against a global backdrop of racial desegregation in schools in America, The Vietnam war, and the moon landing. The 70’s encompassed a mix of hope and horror, as human ingenuity soared in tandem with monstrous imagination. Kingelez began making these model cities of “extreme maquettes” as a response to the political turmoil he was living through.  Disagreeing with the dictatorship that Zaire was now under, he used these maquetes to propose an alternate reality for his country–one of art, architecture, and idealism, or as he states, “A better, more peaceful world.”

The glittering multicolored metropolis is an idyllic version of Africa.  From a distance, the structures have an appearance closer to that of a popup book than of an architectural model.  They are an explosion of color, texture, and unorthodox materials such as construction paper, aluminum cans, and styrofoam.   His piece Kimbembele Ihu is build of layers upon layers of paper and cardboard. It is a homage to his hometown, bearing little physical resemblance to the actual village, but using villager names on some of the buildings to pay tribute. He reimagines this farming village as a utopian metropolis with tall skyscrapers and cylindrical structures. In this piece, he channels his hopes of what his village could become.

Ville Fantóme, in contrast, is a looming cityscape with twisting roads, and a dizzying array of details. He imagines this city as one without crime or sickness, thus there is no need for police or doctors.  Ville Fantome also includes buildings that proudly proclaim his interest in international affairs. A metallic red, white, and blue skyscraper reads “USA”, another reflective structure reads “Canada” at the base, and a smaller angular building reads “Seoul.” In addition, he includes a separate part of the city for the dead, connected by a narrow bridge.  When even the dead are welcome, it’s hard to argue his vision of inclusion.

There is a hopefulness to Kingelez’s work, and with good reason.  He’s taking this opportunity of political transition to try and build a better society, one build of colors and skyscrapers, and one of inclusion for all.  He sees this fictional place as a heaven on earth. It’s the return of humanity to Eden, as they are stripped from sin and given a second chance.

 

Ville fantome, Kingelez’s fantastical cityscape at the City Dreams exhibit at the MoMA

A closeup of Ville Fantome

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“For the Love of Toast” animation reimagined for MoFad

Title: “For the Love of Toast”: An evening of bread and all things toasted—An interactive exhibit at the Museum of Food and Drink (MoFad)

Media and technology: Interactive Projection Mapping

Dimension: Exterior of MoFad: ~40×9 ft, Interior spaces vary

 

Description: Museum of Food and Drink (MoFad) invite you to an evening of all things toast.

Attendees will be imme

rsed in a sensory showcase of interactive art exhibits, short film screenings, bread tastings, and historical connections to bread. Guests will experience baking demos from local businesses, explanations of the science involved breadmaking, and the chemical reactions that take place within the oven to make the bread.

When arriving, guests will be greeted by moving toast projections on the front exterior of the building. The images will be taken directly from the animation “For the Love of Toast.” The projections will also be interactive: as the attendees enter the field of projection, the toasts will move around them

.All exhibits will be interactive. Guests will get to use our “Smell” machine to learn about the chemical compounds in the smells of breadmaking: yeast, sourdough, toasted bread, burnt bread, cinnamon, fire, smoke, wheat, and rye.

Toast art exhibits will fill the space: bread sculptures, a photo collection of Religious toasts featuring toasted images of Jesus and Mary, and an exhibit of bread labels from the early 1800’s to today.

There will also be a discussion of how food is embedded in our cultural history and the American colloquialisms that involve bread: “Bread and butter” and “The greatest thing since sliced bread,” and how they became parts of our everyday language.



Benefits and outcomes:

People will gain a better understanding of the history and science behind breadmaking and toast.  Local bakeries and breadmakers will also get exposure and make personal connections with potential clients.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Counseling Graphic

The first image was deemed too “male-centric”.  The men have since transformed into Narwhals.

The images were made in Adobe Illustrator.  At Student Health Services, we are working on creating a Peer Counseling Program to help deal with the growing issue of mental illness/stigma on campus.  The image is supposed to represent two people talking about their feelings.  The Narwhals are more P.C.

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