Paper Fringing and Edges - Construction

After looking at the work of Jordan Ferney and Ashley Rose Kirschling, I was inspired to use paper in my samples. In the ' stitch' side of this unit, I found using the ruffler foot particularly interesting. Especially the ways it can control different materials. So I decided to experiment with paper to replicate this effect. Below are a couple photographs of strips of paper that have been threaded onto string to create this ruffled appearance. 

I really like the shapes that are made by manipulating the paper in this way. I then went on to look at other ways paper could be manipulated and what effects these would give.

The braided paper worked well; I really like the differences with each one. I would like to take this idea further, possibly using different textured and thicknesses of yarn to try and replicate this.

Jordan Ferney and Ashley Rose Kirschling - Paper Fringing

I came across these artists whilst I was researching edges and fringing. This particular piece of their's caught my eye especially. This was a project that was to create several large hanging sections of fringed paper. I loved the unpredictability of it and the large scale. 

I was so inspired by their work that I proceeded to make some of my own but on a much smaller scale (shown below). Although very time consuming, the shapes that were created as the paper spun naturally were very elegant. I especially like the way the light catches on each of the fringes.

After this, I discovered that I really liked working with paper as a main material as it is easily manipulated but can hold structure well; so I will take this concept further into my future sampling.

The Ruffler Foot

During the second week of stitch we were introduced to the ruffler foot. I particularly enjoyed using this as a method of creating texture in a sample. Using long lengths of ribbon or strips of material the foot will ruffle it up to a much shorter length which was varied as you changed the setting and the stitch length. Below shows the effect produced using this foot.

To begin with I found it difficult to know what to do with these lengths afterwards. After a lot of deliberation I started to try out some different sampling  ideas. In the photograph below I have hand woven a section of the above ruffled ribbon through plain white string. I really like the contrast between the high density of the woven ruffled ribbon and the flimsy white string. I think it makes the ruffles more prominent.

I then thought about how the lengths would look if they were sewn down. For this sample I chose the backing material very carefully as I did not want to ruin the piece with a fabric that was too heavyweight that would be overpowering or cheap; such as calico.

I chose a very finely woven, lightweight silk. I wanted to be able to feel the weight of the ruffles and see how, once sewn down, they would manipulate the silk with the unexpected twists and turns.

Mood Board, Initial Ideas and Samples

Following the trip Blackpool Pleasure Beach, I created a mood board displaying the colour palette I would use as the basis for this unit and the areas I found most inspiring. 

I chose to focus on bright reds, blues and yellows and white. However in some parts in my drawings and sampling, I have removed the presence of yellow as I felt it made my work too busy and exaggerated.

I initially started looking at the rides at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, and the shapes that were made by the crossing over of the metal posts. I have enjoyed working in a linear way in the past, however, I felt that this was making my work quite regimental and stiff in this project, especially with the loom weaving.

 I wanted to display movement in the samples that I produced. So I began looking into the costume archive of Blackpool Pleasure Beach in the photos I had taken. I found one costume that was particularly interesting. This was the costume for the lead role in one of the 'Hot Ice' shows performed there. Working with this as a starting point, I was more inspired as to where I'd like to take my sampling from there.

Below is a snap shot of one of the double pages in my sketchbook. Here is displayed my progression work from looking at the photo (above) of the costume detail. I worked with acrylic paints to create the base colours. I particularly like the page on the left where I have used the mix of colours in my colour palette to put down a base on which to work. However, I also quite like the simplicity of the page opposite. Especially focusing on the negative space rather than the positive.

Derelict Chernobyl Fairground - mini archive 3

In 1986 Chernobyl's Fairground located in Pripyat was due to open. However 5 days later the disaster struck, and has since never been used.

Above, a photograph showing the bumpers cars that are covered in rust. An image you would expect to be taken of a worn out fairground that lost its popularity; not of a one that's barely been touched by human hand. The photographs taken here are a huge change on the photos I took at Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Here the colours are faded as though all the life has been taken away from it compared with the bright vibrant colours of the attractions of Blackpool.

I was surprised to find out whilst researching the history of the fairground, that there are opportunities for members of the public to take tours of a variety of places in Chernobyl; including the Pripyat Fairground.

http://www.chernobylwel.com/en/trip.html

Belle Vue Pleasure Gardens - mini archive 2

In 1836, John Jennison opened the amusement park. Belle Vue was Manchester's center of entertainment. But not only as the home of fairground rides.

Belle Vue provided a wide range of activities for the public, which kept it so popular for many years; such as the zoo of exotic animals, the Belle Vue Gardens and the circus. They, just like Blackpool Pleasure Beach were constantly thinking of  new ideas to keep the public coming back. For example, the owners had the animals dress in clothes and walk them around the park to entertain.

In 1872, Belle Vue Zoo owner bought an Asian Elephant from Edinburgh for £880. The elephant was named Maharajah and was brought to Belle Vue Zoo by travelling over 10 days walking 200 miles. Maharajah the elephant spent 10 years at the zoo entertaining the public as one of the most popular attractions. Visitors now pay respect to Maharajah at the Manchester Museum where the skeleton has been preserved.

Blackpool Pleasure Beach - mini archive 1

Amusement Park

Blackpool Pleasure Beach was founded by William. G. Bean in 1896. His aim was to "make adults feel like children again."

There were many owners of the park over the years, kept within the same family. At present William. G. Bean's Great-Great-Granddaughter Amanda Thompson took lead as the fourth generation manager of the park. As well as preserving the heritage, Amanda has also taken on new innovative ideas to keep up with the 20th Century. In 2010, Nickelodeon signed a £10.3m deal with the park to open the UK's only Nickelodeon Land. The replacement of old, worn out rides is also what keeps the park so popular.

However, the first ride brought to the park was the 'Sir Hiram Maxim Flying Machines' in 1904. It is the oldest ride that is still operating today. They were originally designed to be replica Maxim Biplanes, however as the years have gone on they have been modernised. This is an example of how Amanda Thompson is preserving the parks heritage; as although this is an old ride, it is still a popular attraction to the public so is in their best interests to maintain it.

In 1998, a man called Richard Rodriguez set a world record by riding the Big Dipper for over 1000 hours, to then double that record just 2 years later. However, in 2007 the Guinness World Records nullified these achievements as the rules were altered. His new record was set on the Pepsi Max Big One and the Big Dipper, standing at 405 hours 40 minutes. This created huge media publicity for the park.

Costume Archive

Since 1936 the park has kept costumes produced for performances put on there. Now owning over 10,000 handmade, made to measure costumes. The tour guide told us that nothing was ever thrown away, only deconstructed and reassembled into something new. 

This in particular caught my eye (photographed above). It is part of one of the main costumes in an ice show 'Hot Ice', performed in the park. Thinking about my next unit 'Passementerie Weave and Stitch' and looking at edges as is outlined in our brief, I am planning to use this as one of my starting points and see what ideas I can develop.