KATE

Positive Spaces

This is the tittle for my final major project. With in this project I plan to look in depth at the movement/shapes of the body and the relationship between that and jewellery. I plan to look at the different languages of movement. In particular dance and the way in which it can be describe and seen.

After taking photos of these dancers it has inspired me to direct my project into making jewellery that interprets to way the wearer moves. Therefore the jewellery has its own dance and makes its own 'positive spaces'. I have researched into various designers and object that interpret the way you move for example: handcuffs, ill fitted high heels and african neck stretchers. however this below is my favourite so far.

3rd March 2013

I decided to visit the design museum in London as there was an exhibition on called Unexpected Pleasures. The exhibition was celebrating the contemporary jewellers who have challenged the conventions of jewellery. Relating well to my project. 

  

This is one of my favourites from the day. Its a necklaces by Majorie Schick. The lively body piece frames the face of the wearer while extending the space of the body. Therefore this is an example of jewellery that creates its own positive space.

6th March 2013

I had a tutorial with Joe today who encouraged me to look at more objects that interpret someone's movement. He also backed up the idea about jewellery that will force the body into making its own positive shape. Therefore this helps me to know I am on the 'right tracks'.

8th March 2013

A tutorial today with Dave highlighted the importance of background research (not just research of different artists). Therefore I took the day to research more into the subject of dance.

These two lovely books where exactly the research I was looking for about dance.

The first book gave me an insight into the language of dance, called Labanotation. Labanotation is a system of analysing and recording human movement. It consists of a cluster of symbols which each represent the way the dancer moves. With Labanotation it's possible to record every kind of human motion. An Example of the symbols can be seen below. 

And this guy was the inventor of the system.

This research has given me the idea to use these symbols of dance within my design, so that the piece of jewellery not only forces you into a position but also reads that position within the design.

12th March 2013 

The peer review today helped me evaluate my work and check that I am on the right track. It also highlighted the need to get some primary research on everyday items that interprtate movement of the body.

18th March 2013

A talk called 3D thinking through making took place today, held my Joe and Ellie. They talked about the importance of making and 'playing around' with material. Not thinking too much about the final piece, just making. This also helps you get used to the material and understand the ways in which it can be manipulated.

19th March 2013

After it being highlighted in the peer review to get me own primary research of everyday items. I decided to find and photograph how these objects could possibly interpreted movement. examples are below.



    20th March 2013

After looking at the items above I was inspired to make my own. Using making as a way of drawing my ideas. I tried not to think too much about the end product, as had been suggested. This is what I came up with below.

The idea was for the object to restrict the movement of the arms therefore interpreting the movement of the wearer.

25th March 2013

After coming up with various designs and ideas I decided it was time to make some proto-types. The designs on the pieces are based around the labanotation symbols. Therefore they are almost like instruction for the jewellery shapes, written onto the jewellery. I decided to make the designs out of paper because this is a cheap and easily accessible material. I am also unsure of my final material at the movement however, I'm thinking about wire. Proto-types can be seen below.

By photographing the proto-types on the body I am able to have a visual aid as to what the final piece is likely to look like. It also gives me an idea of the size each piece should be. As you can see the earing piece is too big therefore I know my final piece needs to be smaller than that.

29th March 2013

I have experimented with different wires by making them into the shapes of the Labanotation symbols. Seen below.

I tried a technique of putting the wire around nails in order to get nice straight precise lines like the symbols of Labanotation have. However this technique was not as successful as I'd hoped it'd be so I also tried just using pliers.

  

By experimenting with lots of different types of wire I was able to get a good 'feel' for the material, so that I was able to come up with the best possible outcome. Here is another proto-type below.

A mixture of the different wires seemed to be the best outcome as different wires worked better for different things e.g thin wire for more detailed parts. I do think that this material makes it clear to the viewer that it is a piece of jewellery, as metal is the most common material used for jewellery. However due to the bumps and wobbles within the wire I don't feel it gives the best representation of the Labanotation symbols.

3rd April 2013

Due to me feeling uncomfortable about the unfair representation the wire gave to Labanotation symbols I decided to move onto clay. I hoped that ceramics will give me more precise lines. Here are the proto-types below.

     

As these where only proto-types I didn't want to waste time in glazing them therefore I decided just to use paint and PVA glue. although if I use ceramics I do plan to glaze the final piece.

Although the ceramics give me more precise lines then the wire they are still not perfectly straight. Another functional problem with the ceramics is that it is quite heavy. Therefore if the final piece was much bigger this could cause a pragmatically problem. 

15th April 2013

Another peer review again helped me check that I was in the right direction. They also suggested for me to think about laser cutting as a possibility for getting my straight lines.

23rd April 2013

The two possible materials I could have used on the laser cutter are acrylic and wood. Although in my original statement of intent I had stated I would use a clear material, I thought the wood would have a more aesthetic appeal. This is due the burnt effect the laser cutter gives on to edges of the wood. I came to the conclusion to do it in 3mm ply wood. 3mm is thick enough for it to be sturdy and Ply has a nice clean finish. below are the proto-types. 

      

I am happy with the outcome of the wood as I feel it gives the symbols a good representation. However in this particular case I have the wood too thin in certain places therefore some parts have snapped off.The thinnest I can go is 1mm. By doing lots of smaller designs within the piece this also strengths the material, apposed to one big design that would weaken the material (originally planned).

10th May 2013

Today I researched into different ways in which I could bend the wood, so that they could be used for straps. The technique I felt would be most effective is called Kerfing. This consists of making lots of interrupted lines very close together so that it weaken the wood so that it could bend. 1.5mm thick wood already has a slight bend to it therefore this would may be ideal, however there is a possibility it could be too brutal. This is why I have decided to cut out the design for the straps in 3mm and 1.5mm PLY wood.

 This is the 3mm PLY wood above, as you have see it isn't able to bend enough as I would have liked. Luckily the 1.5mm wood bends with ease.

14th May 2013

Due to ill health this week I have only been able to do sketch book work.

20th May 2013

I have now decided that a video is no longer going to be the desirable outcome as I am now concerned that I am lacking behind from my original time line. I also feel that a series of photographs will serve a very similar purpose. I hope also assembled my final piece to day by using wire and a King Cobra knot. I believe this wire will provide the wearer with the necessary movement needed, however will sill restricting them.

21st May 2013

I have photographed my final pieces today using the view of vast space in the background to contradict the restrictive jewellery. Giving a sense of irony to the photograph. I have also dressed the wear in typical dance clothes so that it refers back to where the original idea has came from. Over all I am pleased with the out come of the piece as I feel it plays nicely on my original tittle Positive Spaces. I also feel the wood design challenges the conventions of jewellery.