Month: March 2015

Embellishment: What am I making?

kristinahagyard Leave a comment

In one of my current modules I have been asked to make a panel or a garment using embellishment techniques.  Initially I knew I wanted to use embroidery and focused my ideas around this embellishment technique.  At first I thought to do a panel of art from Bangladesh.  If I had gone with this idea, I would have used quilting for the background, and added detail using embroidery.  Due to time limitations I would experiment by using applique and stencilling to create some of the detail you can see on the image.

Nakshi Kantha is a traditional embroidery art of Bangladesh.

LOBSTER & SWAN. ‘Nakshi Kantha is a traditional embroidery art of Bangladesh’ https://www.pinterest.com/pin/246149935856674331/ (29.3.2015)

I then looked into Japanese Kimonos and the symbolism behind them.  I would have used silk painting to create the shapes and detail, however I decided against this because silk painting can go very wrong very easily, and I wanted to have more control over what I was making.

Traditional japanese kimono patterns, ideas for what I could use in my illustrations for the shining princess.

FOX, T. ‘Traditional japanese kimono patterns, ideas for what I could use in my illustrations for the shining princess ‘ https://www.pinterest.com/pin/302093087476589945/ (29.3.2015)

I then decided I wanted to make a stomacher so I could incorporate my embroidery skills.  I would use stencilling to fill-in some of the larger embroidery sections.  At first I had decided to do this stomacher, however after a while I decided to change as I wanted to incorporate more techniques and colour into my final piece.

Stomacher German, late 18th century. Silk, cotton, handmade silver plate and bullion threads.

SUW. ‘Stomacher German, late 18th century. Silk, cotton, handmade silver plate and bullion threads’ https://www.pinterest.com/pin/532902568382355742/ (29.3.2015)

After researching into more stomachers I came across this one on Pinterest.  I liked the subtle colours used, additionally, I can use quilting for the background, giving myself another skill to perfect.  I will do some more sampling to find the best alternative to fill in the larger embroidered areas to save time.

1720s British Stomacher at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York - The tabs along the sides allowed the stomacher to be pinned to the gown. The different pieces of a woman's dress were held together with straight pins, but chances of being pricked by them were low as there were still the stays and chemise between the dress and the skin.

OCZOWSKA, P.  ‘1720s British Stomacher at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York – The tabs along the sides allowed the stomacher to be pinned to the gown. The different pieces of a woman’s dress were held together with straight pins, but chances of being pricked by them were low as there were still the stays and chemise between the dress and the skin’ https://www.pinterest.com/pin/549087379543140484/ (29.3.2015)

Circus of Horrors Review

kristinahagyard Leave a comment

I attended the Circus of Horror’s performance in Middlesbrough on the 20th March 2015.  The performance was astonishing beginning with a gruesome act of sword eating and knife throwing. Eventually the show moved onto other remarkable acts, consisting of daredevil balancing act, aerialist, a hairculian and  many more.  They had a live band performing behind the acts, adding to the theatrical element of the performance.

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http://www.circusofhorrors.co.uk/Marc%20Wheatley.1/pages/MWP_0347.htm

The costumes were simple but were extremely effective with the performance.  The costumes needed to be simple for the audience to focus on the acts rather than the costumes themselves.  On the other hand, the performers need to have costumes which suit their characters, for example, the two young aerialists were playing the part of zombie virgins, therefore they were dressed in white to promote one side of thier innocence.  Their costumes were in the theme of lingerie, which all the women were wearing, making it more appropriate for the target audience, as the show included nudity and strong adult language. Their costumes need to be suitable for their act.  Being aerialists, both performers need to have limited clothing, to reduce the risk of fabric getting caught and causing an injury.  It also allowed a better view for the audience, as it was more appreciative to see how they moved and worked together.

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http://www.circusofhorrors.co.uk/Marc%20Wheatley.1/pages/MWP_0024.htm

Some of the acts included fire, therefore the costumes needed to be suitable; limited fabric was used to reduce the risk of the performer catching on fire.  These acrobatic performers were dressed in knee length skirts, made from strips of different fabrics which was extremely effective when performing stunts as a team.

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http://www.circusofhorrors.co.uk/Marc%20Wheatley.1/pages/MWP_0203.htm

This performer is a sword eater and his costume was very simple, only wearing trousers for most of the show, which helped to emphasise his character.  He is covered from head to toe in tattoos, his tonged has been split into two and ears have been stretched.  His costume helps to highlight all these features and predominantly shows his tattoos giving him an edgy aesthetic.  If he was dressed in a suit, his performance would not have the same affect, as this would conduct a more formal and less serious act.

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http://www.circusofhorrors.co.uk/Marc%20Wheatley.1/pages/MWP_9463.htm

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http://www.circusofhorrors.co.uk/Marc%20Wheatley.1/pages/MWP_9797.htm

This is another example of a costume from the show.  Again like the aerialists, her costume is lingerie yet it has been embellished with feathers, studs and armour.  Personally this reminds me of a phoenix, a fire bird, which is what her act consists of, fire eating.   Her Costume needs to promote her dangerous talent, therefore she needs an edger aesthetic.

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http://www.circusofhorrors.co.uk/Marc%20Wheatley.1/pages/MWP_9514.htm

This was the circus master.  His costume was more theatrical than the other performers to indicate his authority, not just in the show, but also in a business.  The leather connects with the women’s lingerie costumes, as this can be viewed as a seductive fabric.  He was the only performer to wear hat, adding to his authority figure, but also helps to connect the rest of his costume features.  The cane gives him a more noble status, as if he control the other performers, helping them to develop their skills and control the progression of the show.  His costume is a contrast when comparing this to the other costumes;  all the other performers were half dressed to make their acts easier to perform and more aesthetically pleasing for the audience.  The Circus master’s main role was to conduct the show.  he was not part taking in any stunts therefore his costumes was not restricted to his performance.

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http://www.circusofhorrors.co.uk/Marc%20Wheatley.1/pages/MWP_9541.htm

http://www.circusofhorrors.co.uk/home.html

At first I was unwean that the Circus of Horror appeared on Britain’s got talent in 2011.  If you would like to watch their audition, the link is as follows:

Semi final performance: