Process
Process Journal
Throughout the semester I kept a physical process journal for recording quick thoughts, jotting down feedback, suggestions, brainstorming, and sketching up ideas and hypotheticals. As an artist, this type of developmental process is an integral part of my personal practice.
DOCUMENTATION OF PHYSICAL PROCESS FOR FINAL WORK
Install Planning
Initially, the idea of this work was sketched up for an exhibition at Testing Grounds in the Melbourne Arts Precinct. Due to Covid lockdown and lack of time this work and exhibition did not go ahead. The following images show the original structure that was intended to suspend the wings at Testing Grounds, since then I have adapted, going from shower curtain railing to c-stand.
The video element of “Fairy Suspended” was entirely shot in the bath. The “Water Spells” hand video being shot in morning light, after sporadically having the idea in the shower 5 minutes earlier. The water splashing video being shot at night, with water running and camera angled towards the base of the tub.
Video Element Process
Clay Mushroom Creation
Using air drying clay, making approximately 68 mushroom cups, these mushrooms were hand sculpted, using a palette knife to create the mushroom-like indents underneath. Some, then going on to be lightly painted with slightly watered down acrylic paint in an attempt to give a little more individuality to each cup, as well as some realistic depth.
WING
CREATION
A size comparison against my 5’2 stature, once the stitching of the wings had just been completed.
Initial Visual Inspiration
A page from “Fairy Tales”, 2021
Unknown creator
Unknown creator
Visual inspiration for the wings comes from Dana Trippe, Polina Osipova and insect wing reference photos, as well as, Pinterest and Tumblr DIY photos, and Petra Collins’ & Alexa Demie’s photographic adult storybook, “Fairy Tales” (2021).
By Dana Trippe
By Polina Osipova
The insect reference photos below, inspired the structure, as well as the specific hanged look of “Fairy Suspended”. With reference to a butterfly’s wings fresh from a chrysalis.
Structure & Sewing
This entire process took approximately 126 hours, from sketching up the design, to cutting, shaping and joining the wire, to sewing it all together and beading.
Click the buttons to view hand stitching time lapses
Once hand stitching was completed and excess fabric was trimmed to shape the wings, adhesive spray was then used to keep the edges of the fabric together.
Technique was to very lightly spray from a small distance and very lightly pat in place, with as little contact as possible
Lace - Tea Staining Process
Regarding the suspension of “Fairy Suspended”, the initial idea was to either use, rope, string, ribbon or lace. Eventually, landing on lace. Once purchased and tested against the wings, it was decided it was too pure a white, hence the tea staining process to come, in order to make it look a little more worn in, aged and organic.
The frozen water drop beading look was primarily inspired by Mugler’s Met Gala collaboration with Kim Kardashian in 2019. Other visual inspiration comes from the following images.
Beading Inspiration & Process
Elements for water drop illusion consist of -
glass and plastic tear-shaped beads of varying sizes, transparent elastic beading thread, scissors and a thick needle for punching holes into the organza material.
At home beading logistics involved tying each wing, individually, to the end of my bed with string
Spot Testing
Testing adhesive spray with organza fabric
Testing beading technique with fabric
Testing wing hanging techniques in the bathroom (as that was the only solution in lockdown)
Testing tea staining on nylon lace
Testing wing x lace physics
Projection testing against black carpet after editing video to circular shape to fit mushroom circle
Final Set Up for Installation
Set up took place in video studio room at RMIT City Campus, using a c-stand, Dedo light kit and projector on tripod.