Next step …
As I step from this module for my MA, that was about my reflective practice, self-criticism, progression to independent workmanship towards professional development into considering my final piece and exhibition I must learn to departmentalise.
While it is difficult to separate being a puppet and stitch maker from being puppeteer, animator, stage designer or that a story teller; being able to isolate these tasks in the studio environment will go a long way to ensure that while art and creativity is maintained and progresses, the result as a film or within a frame is produced with a professional balance and appearance.
When making the puppets, the story, and story board is in the back of my mind. To fore, is the wire sculpture with its strength and continued flexibility, the felt must be constructed to a fine and durable quality, the costumes designed and stitched to create a characterful colourful actor. All this takes place long before the animation comes to the fore.
Back drops, while they may be treated as a two-dimensional element they do fulfil and important function and cannot be ill considered when being the stitch maker. Firstly, they might tell part of the story like the stage set or form a barrier from an unwanted background. However, they must not distract; the camera is a fool and easily distracted; so, the background must not have an obvious focus. Its function is a mere suggestion of a garden or street for example. To that end, threads and fabric are carefully used without positive or negative lines or impressions. Unlike the puppets or coat hanger people who as described earlier as characterful there is no subtlety. We must be assured of their importance. In their isolation, neglect and the mundane they take centre stage and star.
For my work for the next few months regardless of the outcome; while perfecting the backdrops I will ensure the puppets will be well made, balanced and stage worthy.
Coat hanger people or puppets?
As I begin to think about my final piece which will be much about studio work; for example: finding a story, giving my characters a role, making props and stage sets and animation. While I have thought much about it and even have a plan; where I begin remains mystery.
This saddens me and find myself distracted by ‘other’ things and even further research is so attractive. This weekend for instance I taught myself crochet; learning, however that it will not have a place in my final piece.
On the other hand, this was far more interesting a hand puppet in a drawing by Bruegel 1564 and would like to know more about the stories that were being told 5 centuries ago. I am not sure where my coat hanger people and puppets meet; if indeed they do. I am also interested in the use of puppets and animated creatures in art and communication
Still in holiday mode …
As I begin my day before dawn; reading, writing and walking; my breakfast at 9.30 is a welcome feast and my pot of pu-erh tea is heart-warming. So, until my next pit stop and while I am still in holiday mood and brevity is of the essence … another character or two of note these are goat like … and dance very well .
New year colour …
The sun is up; there is a tiny break in the clouds and blue sky is peeping through. After so many days of grey; the colour is so welcome. During these days while I have been culling my collection of books; I have been looking at and being inspired by the work and writing of Friedrich Hundertwasser and Paul Klee. These books will not be going anywhere.
Düchting, H. and Klee, P. (2018) Paul Klee painting music. Prestel.
Restany, P. (2010) Hundertwasser. Parkstone International.
Inside out …
In the 14th century after a 100 years of the Mongol Yuan dynasty; Emperor Zhu Yaunzhang became the founder of the Chinese Ming dynasty. One if his first acts was to ‘establish a new dress code;’ he banned the barbaric Mongol styles, but bought in his own rules that distinguished the nobles from ordinary people. The story is complex and thrilling; the book called The fabric of civilization; how textiles made the world by Virginia Postrel describes it fully.
My coat hanger person wears a coat that relates in a small way to the laws as regards the wearing of silk and embroidered cloth. Commoners were forbidden to wear such luxurious textiles; merchants would flout the strident rules and line their mandatory plain coats and jackets with fine fabrics.
resolution or revolution?
Oh dear, it is New Year’s Eve; the last day of a year of immense difficulty and helplessness. We hear today that another vaccine has been approved and ‘rolled out’ but it still looks as if spring is a long time coming. I haven’t been to a New Year’s Eve party in decades; seeing the new year in with Jules Holland at home on the TV has become a family tradition, that, and lots of champagne. I am wondering if that too has been cancelled, as so many live events this year haven’t happened. If so it will seem, albeit a little melodramatic, like the last straw.
So, with that I must be truly grateful that my family, friends and I have remained safe and that with the vaccine things will get better. Not back to normal or as it was, for me that will not happen. I cannot afford to lose time, so I am making wishes, making changes, allowing myself to find ways to realise new invention within and without the digital development and fulfil my dreams. Is that resolution or revolution?
Herding cats ….
So, another day of winteriness and surprisingly pleasant after a good walk. However, this deep reluctance to decide what my coat hanger people are going to say or do this year; as I begin to consider my final piece. What seemed like a plan for my recent submission; which incidentally hasn’t take place yet, appears rather drab. I suppose this is the effect of being a lone worker or one who is isolated. I am not alone is this; around the world students are learning to find that erstwhile and painstaking team of beavers in our souls who rally us to weather the bleakness.
Meanwhile, I will attempt to herd my coat hanger people like cats to story land.
Not so much knitting …
I woke well before dawn and worked on a small task that will become part of my final piece. It is knitted; I learn as a child and been knitting complex patterns for decades. However, knitting in the traditional sense will not form part of my final. Until then this person, sports a rather dashing sweater in indigo and of the Aran style
the Waiting …
Lovely frosty morning; quiet here there is no sense of life in my locality. So these two people who represent the Waiting by Degas sort of say it all.
Rest and renewal with Matisse on the couch …
Although the weather is notably dreary; I am still in the holiday mood and reluctant to get back to the jobs in hand. For instance, household tasks and of course the MA and its required study. So, I am thinking … another day of R&R.
These two people again inspired by Matisse and called Two women in yellow and tartan dresses. Both dresses are made of silk; the yellow is dyed with onion skins and the other batik printed. In the film they dance when they get bored with sitting on the sofa.
Coat Hanger Doll's House 