Group Presentations

We were put into groups of 6 and were then assigned a word. From this we were asked to create various visuals based on this theme. We were given the word twisted which initially stirred many different connotations within the group. We found that the word can take on a literal or metaphysical meaning which was our primal research.  From here we began an almost word association exercise in order to pin point different themes of interest. Ideas ranged from twisted hair, twisted personalities, surrealist art representing twisted shapes and DNA structures. Our final ideas were then decided upon as a group and we conducted our mood board responses.  We all had different ideas when it came to the word twisted and took all our individual thoughts and made the A3 work in collaboration.

Artist Henri Michaux

                                                   Henri Michaux, Mescaline Drawing (1956)

I found artist Henri Michaux's work encompasses the themes we have been introduced to in some of his works. His pieces are created through mescaline induced episodes which then result in his drawings. The expressiveness and linear nature of his pieces add a notion of surrealism and identity. His use of mescaline is referenced to in several of his books including Turblulent Infinity which was translated to English in 1967.
This Quote by him I found quite intriguing and for me really summarised the notions of line. 

A line encounters a line, evades a line.
A line waits, hopes, a line rethinks a face.
Ant-high lines. Ant-visibles streaming through lines.
A melodic line crosses twenty stratigraphic fractures.
A line germinates. Martyr-laughable lines.
Lines gaslighting lines. Lines budding on a dune.
A dream of paradise: lines in conversation with their liminal selves.

(from “Michaux 1956″ in Reciprocal Distillations 2007)

Fabric and figure drawing

 We started the morning with linear drawing and experimentation with pencil. We were encouraged to create free movement on the page using loose flowing strokes of the pencil. Activities including covering a whole page in charcoal and using a rubber to etch in swirls and lines as an alternative method of experimenting with line. We additionally looked at figure drawing in simple curves and strokes. This research then moved on to using colour oil pastels and paint in the same examples of curves and lines and encouraged  being free and expressive with colour.

We also looked at fabric drawing and dress a mannequin in a selection of alternate materials. Using oil pastels, pencils, ink, charcoal and a rubber we experimented with how to create textures that depict the surface appearance of different fabrics. The afternoon session encompassed the ideals practised in the morning and gave inspiration to us creating a final fashion figure drawing.

Field trip to the Tate modern gallery

We went to the tate gallery and did some sketches of works we found inspiring. I particularly liked work by artist Marcel Duchamp, 'The bride stripped bare by her bachelors, even. I found his art quite mentally stimulating as you have to engage with the piece to understand its meaning which isnt obvious. The top panel is the bride and the bottom one her bachelors. The piece conveys themes of human sexulaity which is a continuation of themes used in previous works by Marcel.

Hussein Chalayan/ swarovski and laser diode dress

   
This video showcases Husseins 2008 spring/summer dress that had swarovski crystals over red laser diodes which thus lit up the over laid crystals giving altering light radiations. The reason I've added this video is that this dress in particular I found very stirring. Husseins has stated that he wanted the effect if the piece to be of running lava.

Further research into Hussein Chalayan

Hussein's work is very inspirational to me. I find his peculiar and innovative approach to fashion and design so alluring. I’ve sketched a few of his pieces that relayed to me a real sense of creation and stimulating design.  The visit we went on to the exhibition was very significant for me as I have found great motivation from Hussein’s design methods which are generated from individual thought processes. I found an interview with Hussein by designboom who met Hussein Chalayan at the swarovski crystal palace presentation in Milan on April 6th, 2006.

‘What advice would you give to the young?’

‘The important thing in the design world is to be always thinking

of something that isn't already done.

otherwise, the ones that are doing it will do it better than you.

also, opening to yourself to sort of other things that can inspire

design rather than looking at design constantly.

you have to expose yourself to other worlds to keep your

mind more active.’

Hussein Chalayan

We were immediately immersed into the thought processes of the prolific and unconvential designer Hussein Chalayan. We were taken to his exhibition exploring his range of B-side works which showcase his pieces that steer away from fashion design and take on a fine art stance. I was particularly enamoured with his art film 'Anaesthetics.' The piece conveyed alienation to the way of life enforced by society. He makes reference to the desensitization of humanity which he presents through the horrific and brutal gutting of a fish and how it is then formed into something beautiful in this case sushi. From this I was inspired to create some designs emulating and paying homage to his intriguing themes. I also enjoyed the inertia positives and negatives which explore a strong theme of process and outcomes.