Unit X

#175.

Superstitions 

Unit X is a combined project of my skills and students from around the university. The brief for the project being 175, as a group we bounced ideas of each other all morning. 

We started by firstly picking facts out about '175' and sharing them. From all the facts shared our favourite fact was 1+7+5=13, 13 being a very unlucky number we started to then talk about superstitions, ghosts, tarot cards, voodoo dolls, black magic and the contrast between science and fiction, we even briefly spoke about aliens. As we had so many ideas, we all chose our favourite pathway to research. I chose black magic. As it was something I really wanted to research as soon as it was mentioned. 

 

Group Posters

As a group we all created posters on a certain subject area in which we thought related to 'Superstitions' . For my poster I researched into the art of Voodoo, its history and its use in the present day. I collected basic facts that I would be able to easily present to the rest of my group and the rest of the other groups. 

Everyone elses ideas were so different and the posters flowed well as we all had a key subject to talk about.

Afterwards.

I think after we had all done our posters we all seemed to be a little lost and stuck as what to do next. 

Researching a subject for me is hard when I feel I have no connection towards it. 

As we re read the breif, we realised it had to link back somehow to Manchester and the MMU anniversary.

The idea of working all in the same way wasnt working as we are all skilled in different areas, so for now we are going to work on our own projects, meet 2-3 times a week and discuss what we have done and how were developing, then later try and bring all of our ideas back down and to link together.

We all seem to want to concentrate on this idea of time, 'Old VS New', so for now we thats what we will individually work with.

large mind maps from the group meetings

Mindblock

I am currently feeling lost, I have so many different ideas in my head about how I can involve time and Manchester together.

Manchester Museum 

Thinking into the idea of time and Manchester, I found that the idea of visiting the Manchester Museum linked to Manchester University would be beneficial as I might find a certain subject or object to get my project started again.

Certain things in the museum stood out to me, one being an Ancient Chinese crown and all of the Ancient Egyptian pieces.

1+7+5=13

Keeping with the idea of '13' and its unlucky self.

Easter Work

For our Easter work, we were set the challenge of drawing images relating to our projects. I chose to use the idea of continuous line drawings of objects I had found in Manchester Museum. I decided to use continuous line drawings to represent the idea of time, and keeping things connected and flowing. One thing I found worked well with these images was the use of pattern. Every Egyptian artefact had a unique pattern and was done with bright vivid colours.

This being a zoomed in image of one of the Scarab beetles I have drawn, I love the use of colour on this image. For what ever work I develop I really want to use bright colours like this.

This line drawing was done based on one of the canopic chests in the museum. I really like the way the continuous line drawing has created its own image, something completely different to the original. 

I also love the top half of the image the detail of the chest looks like a form of jewellery.

A fast quink image of one the the Egyptian Mummies.

Quink and fine liner quick drawing of an Egyptian Eye

Quink and fineliner small drawing of the Sun God Ra

fast drawing using fineliner and coffee of the Egyptian Goddess Isis

Quick charcole drawing of again the same mummy inside the Museum 

For extra texture and detail, I drew some of the drawings on an old book, which I had layered with paint and masking tape.

Images From Manchester Museum

I absolutley LOVE the colours used for all the Egyptian pieces, especially these Canopic Chests.

These small pendants are also lovely due to there colour, also there fine attention to detail.

This necklace, located in 'Funerary Jewellery' is incredible. I am really intrested in how these pieces were made, as they would have had limited tools. I really love the detail on the chain. Also the use of colour, simple silver and cream, the contrast of the ivory with the detailed chain. 

This is one of my favourite pieces I saw today. The unique pieces stood out to me straight away due to there bright blue colouring. Also I love the 4 small hand carved Egyptian Gods. 

Small Egyptian pendants- My favourite being the end right peice. This being a god really links to the idea of voodoo and previous things I researched earlier in the project, for example, Voodoo dolls were made either as a human form or as a way of worship. This could be an Egyptians way of worshipping as its easier to worship a form or an object rather than something unseen. I again love the colour and the way these have been so carefully and skilfully made. The way the blood and greens bleed into each other is lovely.

This is an Egyptian piece of artwork showing the Goddess Isis. 

''Isis is a goddess in Ancient Egyptian religious beliefs. She was worshipped as the ideal mother and wife as well as the patroness of nature and magic. She was the friend of slaves, sinners, artisans, and the downtrodden, and she listened to the prayers of the wealthy, maidens, aristocrats, and rulers. Isis is often seen as the mother of Horus, the hawk-headed god of war and protection. Isis is also known as protector of the dead and goddess of children.''

I love how this is drawn, The way the Egyptian art pieces were made and designed is something I am really interested in and this straight away made me want to draw and design my own. I also love the small use of gold.

This last piece really really inspired me, which was a relief from panicking about what i wanted to concentrate and develop on. This necklace is what im going to start my ideas flowing with, firstly with drawings, colours and then development. 

Fashion Research:

Ancient Egyptian-inspired designs of John Galliano for Christian Dior; Paris 2004

GROUP WORK INFLUENCES

Every student in our group for unit x is skilled at something different. Seeing each others work really helps to develop your own. 

For example, during tutorial 3 everyone brought images and there work for everyone to get a good idea in which direction we are working towards. 

Alex Etchells- Film & Media: Brought these photos of manchester that he had distorted using photo shop keeping with the key idea of dark and moody and twisted.

The colours in these photographs suddenly sparked an idea for me to develop in my work.

This distorted mirror picture taken somewhere in manchester has really influeced my work, as when I felt lost it reminded me of the jewellery and the pendants I had seen inside the Museum. I love the colours and they way it could be any image zoomed in or shrank. From this its made me more keen to develop looking into the jewellery side of working. Im going to take these colours and create a mood board of inspiration.

From using these and after a group tutorial, of how to collaborate our work, I decided to play around with photo shop to see if I could layer any pieces of my work or my groups work to get more colour and more of a sense of development from my work.

Using a map of Manchester  a quick drawing from the museum and a book page to create a new layered image with more colours and ideas to develop.

Using a photograph of the Museum its self, layering it with a book page, the drawing I did of the Egyptian Sun god Ra. I love the textures in this photo, especially the bottom right of the picture as it has created a new image.

Love the colour this layered image turned out!

Creating a skull like image with the texture of the page

This image is my favourite of the layered images, as I found the colours corresponded well with the image, creating a new image and again broader sets of colours to work with.

Using the textures of the pages of the book I had made and using colours and photos from my groups work, I have created a new set of colours to work from.

Looking into Egyptian Gods and History

Trying to keep with the original idea of looking into superstitions and gods, my project has gone in the right way. Currently my group are trying to link together our projects with the idea of keeping things with a dark mood. Also another key term were looking at is 'Change'. 

One key thing I am really interested into developing is the Egyptian Jewellery. I love there use of colour and texture.

I WANT TO WORK WITH BRIGHT COLOURS

'Change'

From group tutorials after mind mapping all of our ideas and what we have been looking at the key link was change. We have all been looking at things that change over time. I want to develop the idea of looking at how jewellery and ideas have changed over time. I have an idea in my head of creating new egyptian jewellery, keeping the same idea, but experimenting with different materials and ideas.

I LOVE THE IDEA OF LOOKING AND CREATING NEW UNIQUE JEWELLERY

Jewellery Research

Developing my idea of looking into 'Change' and Egyptian Jewellery, I decided to look at current jewellery artists who create necklaces and other pieces that are similar style to the Egyptian pieces. 
Using Pinterest I came across many influential artists 

Current Necklaces.

Noon Passama x Ek - Part IV : Noon Passama

This piece created by Noon Passama using bright colours, immediately reminded me of the eccentric jewellery that the Egyptians created. I especially love the bold colour used. The angular patterns and the creative unique shapes also gave me an idea of creating something 3D or developing in more of a 3D way.

Another neon yellow necklace. I found this whilst stumbling across a fashion blog. Made by Sass & Bide.
the style really reminded me of a developed version of egyptian necklaces. The way the long beads create a draping shape around the neck. 

Louis Vuitton

Keeping with this neon yellow colour that is very fashionable at the moment I stumbled across the Louis Vuitton necklace, the detail used in this necklace gave me the idea of distortion. If you look at the necklace it sort of looks as if the necklace has been twisted and distorted to create something unique and more 3 dimensional.

Laura Anne Marsden

A Recycled Textiles Designer, who transforms waste plastic bags into lace interior and fashion accessories. This piece called 'Eternal Lace' was done using plastic bags. I really love the small detail and the way she has used recycled items to create it. This way of working really fits well with the idea of 'change' and the other current group word 'old and new'. I think this way of working is something I want to develop, I could maybe use this idea by collecting things around Manchester  and making them into new things for example, Egyptian styled necklaces? The small intricate way of working too also reminds me of embroidery.. How could I translate this idea of recycling items from around Manchester with embroidery?


 Elyse Marie Vieni.

 

'E By Elyse Marie Vieni’s unique jewelry collection focuses on creating a style that has no boundaries. Her style is all about creating fashion through the unexpected. She focuses on her fashion fantasies coming to life and letting her imagination and inspiration run wild with each piece that she creates. Her inspiration draws from confident and fearless women who are not afraid to take risk in life.'

I LOVE Elyse's necklaces, I stumbled across them when on pinterest. I especially love the last piece named, 'The all seeing eye' this piece links well with my project! I absolutely love the detail on each necklace. 

To develop from these I am going to draw from them.

Current Colours and Designs on the High Street.

Keeping with the idea of linking in Manchester and the idea of 'Old & New' and 'Change' 

From looking around Manchester it was apparent that the current colours and designs were very very similar to what I have been already looking at with the Egyptian designs. The colours are very bright, neon.. and are bold and are there to make a statement. I like the idea of block colour.

I WANT TO WORK WITH NEON

Vogue : Spring/Summer 2013 Trend Collection

These jewellery pieces, created by Gucci, are this summer and springs collection, again these are using bright neon colours, with very eccentric designs. 

I want to take this idea of over the top, bright and exciting colours forward and develop it in my work.

Drawings From these designs

INSPIRATION

Fashion blogs.

One of my favourite things to do is look through fashion blogs and see what is trending and fashionable so I really enjoyed finding all of the recent colours and current necklaces that are fashionable. What I noticed again from researching the current colours are neons and bright flurecent colours for the summer season. This again is aiding me in a way to develop my work and use neons.

Illustrations of Necklaces to help influence my work

This illustration was done using the negativity editor on photoshop. Turning it negative like this helped create a new rang of neon colours and showed a new different way i could create a necklace.

VIDEOING WORK.

During tutorials we have decided as a group to link our work together were keeping with the idea of change. Old and New.. This links well with the celebration of The Art Schools birthday. So to link it together more were all recording our selves creating something new from something old.

Mood Board.

Using different neon bright inks I created this mood board to help influence my work and show colours that contrasted well. 

Creating my own necklaces -  'CHANGE'

Currently I am wondering which technique I want to use to make my necklaces. 

From textiles blogs and different artists I have looked at I really wanted to look at soluble fabrics.. 

I had an idea.. to create a necklace using the thread and stitches created on the sewing machine. By using the soluble fabric I would be left with the necklace stitched..

Fabric

After exploring Abakhan Textiles shop I found two soluble fabrics.. One that was dissolved using heat from the iron and another with water.

I first tried to work with the water soluble fabric.

I used this image that I had drawn earlier 

However after many attempts I finally got the sewing machine to the correct tensions so that the spool thread was a little thicker so it held the stitches together better.

However.. When I rinsed away the fabric the stitches started to come away from each other leaving the detail to fade away to create this

This was not what I expected. However I like how the new detail created a new sort of image and a new sort of design. A controlled messy necklace that had more meaning. However due to it not being what I imaged.. I moved onto try the heat soluble fabric.

This was a sample I did that was exactly the same as my heat soluble sample. I tried the pattern first on calico. I tried it first on this to see that it worked out well and that the design and image was  as I imaged on fabric. 

However again when I ironed away the fabric all i was left with was uncontrolable thread that was unwinding and i was unable to piece it all back together :(

I needed a new way or creating unique colourful handmade necklaces.

I began to reflect on past projects in which I had used different techniques and which projects I had excelled in.. 

I reminded myself that I slightly used crotchet in the previous project of my degree however I hadn't developed it to my full potential.

BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD.

Teaching myself how to properly crotchet.. 

The idea : Teach yourself how to crotchet properly by following patterns. Develop the patterns and create my own patterns that can be repeated in different styles.

Starting with the basics.

I thought I would buy a guide to start me off properly! 

I first started by learning everything from the beginning properly. I already know how to crotchet.. but I cannot read the patterns. 

First attempt at a proper pattern crotchet flower.

I HATE THIS WAY OF WORKING.

I hate following the patterns. I want to be able to just make it up as i go along.. an unstructured why of working is the best way for me.

COLOUR. 

Creating necklaces from the top of my head started out hard.. but once I got going I loved it.

Using a basic crotchet stitch I firstly made this one. 

I really enjoyed using this way of creating I wanted to develop my ideas and create varied pieces 

Again using the same stitch I developed it by over lapping the stitching to create a roused look to the piece.

I carried on developing adding different bright coloured yarns.

For this piece again I stayed with the basic stitch.. and added a wrap made from thin neon yarns.

This so far is my favourite piece as its so different and fits my groups idea well of 'Old and New'

I developed further using texture yarns together, leaving holes. Creating more of a unique feel.

My final Idea.

For my final necklace that I have developed I wanted to have every single bright colour involved. I wanted to create something that had every aspect of my development in it. I wanted it to still have gold influences to link straight back to the Egyptian theme that got me going with the project. I also wanted it to show new crotchet techniques I have learnt along the way to, for example missing holes dropping stitches  frills and adding different textures. I love my final piece however I personally think I could have developed it more by maybe taking the idea to actual chains and making creating day to day necklaces with a small hint of what I have created here.

REVOLT 2 - SUPERSTITIONS - EVOLVE

The final outcome of our group work is a video.

The video shows our work and the celebration of the 175th Birthday of Manchester Art School. The video was the best way in which we could all link our work together and show our examples of the term OLD AND NEW. Which we have now decided to develop into EVOLVE. 

I love the way the video shows all our work together and shows different aspects of the uni.