For this project we were instructed to create a wearable piece that represents or relates to the retelling of the myth or fairytale we chose. In seminar we explored different versions of retelling stories and rewriting poems, to help us with writing and constructing our myths. In studio we spent time looking over different fashion designers and their past runway shows and began working on our ideas and constructing prototypes. In both studio and seminar, we simultaneously worked on our final myths and prototypes.
Initial Sketches and Planning:
Prototype and Process:
Final Product:
Seminar & Studio:
1)What myth/legend/narrative did you choose to represent?
I chose to represent the myth of Icarus and his fate of drowning due to his hubris and pride.
2)How did you represent it? (please describe how you represented your piece in seminar, and in studio). Please discuss diction, form, tone, content in relation to seminar; please discuss material, form, color, texture, shape and content in relation to studio.
For seminar, I wrote two halves to the story to show the stark contrast between someone battling with depression and someone who is extremely happy and has a new-found self confidence. The first half was depressing and heavily weighted, going in spirals to show Icarus’ depression, disarray, and general lack of confidence. I wrote each paragraph to start off with a similar train of thought in which Icarus is experiencing an episode of depression and having his thoughts often repeat as he is physically unable to function. The second half I wrote with light and happy wording to reflect his ecstatic demeanor as his life completely changes and to show his newfound confidence and pride in self. To do this I often used warm words and run-on sentences to show someone who is almost lost in their happiness and isn’t able to express all his joy.
For Studio, I decided to create a contemporary and abstract representation of wearable wings made of black plexiglass. The plexiglass is sleek and represents Icarus’ strength and self confidence in the second half of the story. At the same time, the structure of the plexiglass is reminiscent of a cage and is physically restricting, hinting at how his pride will be his downfall. The dripped candle wax represents his messy self-destruction at the end of the second half.
3)Why did you choose to represent the original in this way?
I wanted to write about mental health as it has been an extremely prevalent matter in my life both personally and seen in those around me. My generation is working to get rid of the stigma of talking about mental health and I want to support this but it also works in a cathartic way, letting me to express how I once felt. While I have no experience with fame, I wanted to write about how, once something seemingly world-altering has happened, your problems are still there and one single change will not fix your problems. I have often found that both myself and others believe[d] that a change in environment will solve all your problems and I worked to represent how with a new environment, there are simply different problems.
4)What relationship do you see between the content generated in studio and the content generated in seminar? How are they similar, how are they different? Did they influence each other, and if so, how?
Both my physical piece and the writing have two largely contrasting elements. The plexiglass feels restrictive like the first paragraph, but also feels successful and strong like the second paragraph. The candle wax is messy like the first paragraph and shows the destruction at the end of the second paragraph.
5)What questions do you have for the group about what you made, that you would like them to consider?
6) What have you learned about the process of “translating,” re-remembering, or transforming an original ancient story into these new iterations in studio and seminar? What challenges did you encounter? What did you find most exciting or successful?
The initial challenge was thinking of a way to transform the story into a contemporary context but once I had come up with how I was going to rewrite it, form and tone fell into place. I found that the two contrasting halves and their form were the most successful parts
Studio:
7) What mistakes did you make? Did they lead you into a new direction?
My original plan did not revolve around materials but my first sketch, once I began thinking about materials I was able to start a plan for how I would construct it. My first plan for construction did not work but in making the second prototype I was able to come up with a new plan for notching the pieces together, this time instead of using multiple single rectangles I would create larger shapes allowing construction to be much easier and the overall structure less delicate. My first mistake regarding construction lead me to an entirely different structure, whereas the second mistake only helped me to refine my idea. The only mistake I could not solve was the that my project is not wearable.
8) What obstacles did you have to overcome if any? Did they change the direction of your project?
Apart from the problems I mentioned above, the largest obstacle was access to the laser lab which stopped me from fixing the wearability of my project.
9) Did you have to learn or experiment with a new technique or material you did not work with before? Or did you use a skill you learned in one of your other classes? Explain.
I used the laser lab, using skills I had learned in space/materiality, and decided to use plexiglass instead of wood, the material I had been previously using for my space/materiality class. To allow the pieces to fit together, I used a notching technique that I had also learned in space and materiality. With this project I also decided to experiment with dripping candle wax, something I had previously not tried in any of my classes or previous works.
10) What do you think is successful about your Wearable Art and what would you do differently next time?
I successfully used the laser lab and plexiglass to create a beautiful sculpture and used the dripping candle wax to show a large contrast between the beauty of the black plexiglass, representing Icarus’ success before failure, and the dripping white candle wax to represent his self-destruction. Next time I would have spent more time measuring myself to ensure that the structure would be wearable.
