COP Evaluation

Context of practice is basically to link the theory with the practical aspects of the course. Theory is based on lectures and seminars. We have to link these theories through our practical work which is produced in response to the brief.

Amongst a series of lectures we had, the ones interested me were;

Film

Photography

Avant-garde and kitsch

Graffiti

Modernism and post modernism.

The seminars in relation to these lectures were long winded and non productive. But the short essays we had to do were really helpful to understand the lectures that I have chosen for further research.

Research:

Core themes were introduced in the seminars. I chose fashion communication because the idea of communicating your individuality and concept through fashion in different ways is what this theme is about. I found the lectures relating to this theme interesting as well.

Whilst doing my research on these lectures I always linked architecture with these topics. For most of the modules my inspiration came from architecture. Architectural fashion is strong and it’s armour for the body to make it feel secure. A book called Shape shifters was a source which even enhanced my vision on this idea.       

Development:

Further research and development to link architecture, body, fashion and communicating it through a medium discussed in the lectures was my bottom line for this whole module at this point. 

The concept was created and I was not sure whether communicating it through photography or film. I realised it soon while going through ideas that to present my artefact I want something with movement. Photography would not have done justice to the concept itself.

I did a story board for the main concept of the film but tweaked few scenes while learning final cut. Final cut is a great software to use. The only problem i faced was that film is always shot landscape. I shot the second half in portrait. I found a solution to it to have multiple screen shots at once. Besides that i really enjoyed it.

I think that strong silhouettes give an edge to the body if worn as garments. It gives confidence and security. It feels free from the insecurities and imperfections. To show architectural silhouettes as garments I used card boards and created a shadow of the model dressing and undressing with those boards. As I did not had my actual garments to show which obviously would have been based on strong shapes. 

Final artefact for COP

Response to COP

An exercise was done in the studio in response to the context of practice. Paul’s response to this brief was writing a poem and written by the whole class, one or two lines in their own writing style onto a large piece of paper.   

concept development

This is the perfect imagery for my concept. The model has been photographed by Marino Sorrnti. I love the neutral background which allows focusing on the body contours. She is standing on a patch of sand which is her piece of land to survive in front of that gigantic sea. The body is in a elegant yet seductive posture. Second and third images compliment each other. Irina’s origami and structured design resembles with Coop Hammelb’s architectural work. As you can see the human form being transformed into a edgy look inspired from architecture.   

sketchbook development

Mood board for the fashion communication concept.
                     

Communicating my idea through fashion or photography.

This was the first idea for my fashion film which due to complications to achieve it I simplified this idea of film into the second one having the same concept.

This is the final and second story board for my film.

Development for my video to achieve the relevant looks and how to shoot them.

 

Film and Photogaphy

                                          

Gareth Pugh's fashion films particularly S/S 2011 was a great source of inspiration for me. It inspired to me make a film. I would prefer film on photography because it is a medium where movement involves. Its more engaging and expressive. I am totally obsessed with this image. The alignment of the two bodies, the lighting and the effortless shot is just indescribable for me. Photography is better to capture a moment even though it can still be strong but film was going to do justice with my concept. 

film and fashion

Film is life but without the dull bits.

I feel the catwalk show is similar to a silent movie that Hitchcock made back in 1920’s. The catwalk show is more about you and it’s the expression of designer’s inner side. Whereas some peers thought it’s more commercial. It definitely has a commercial side to it to make a living out of it but your expressing yourself through a medium which is clothes on a platform which is tend to be really commercialized and fake. Hitchcock’s style was avant-garde and expressionistic which I feel more related to. And he collaborated with Dali whose work is a great inspiration for me. The way Dali created a set in the movie called Spellbound, it can be created in a form of a catwalk.

I love the fact that Hitchcock or any movie of that age, the fact that they showed without language totally based on visuals. I feel comfortable visually and yet these movies were gripping and created suspense. That is I want to show on catwalk visually explains everything what I am thinking of and what my inspirations are behind it, that you do not need words to justify yourself and clothes speak for you.

Technical aspect of movies in relation to fashion today is the lights; cameras and most importantly the adobe we use to manipulate and create designs which some of them are accidently created through the process.

Madonna’s signature 1980s style was in high-demand. The movie, which captured the then-seedy downtown New York City bohemian punk, New Wave and dance cultures.

                      

Mixing and matching the unlikely was also a big part of Susan’s look. Madonna’s character blended looks, such as men’s boxers, with more feminine pieces like a frilly tank top. Strong shoulders of the 80s were paired with girly sequins. Even the delicate lace of her leggings got a tough upgrade when paired with her studded boots.

Probably the best part of the fashion in Desperately Seeking Susan is the accessories! It was all about taking things to the next level with quirky statement pieces. A number of black rubber bracelets, layered necklaces and colourful head ties were all a part of the look. Most of the accessories were punk in feel, but truly, influences were so varied. Her Ray bans? 50s chic! Her gold earrings and chunky belt buckles reminded me of vintage jewellery. No matter the source, the result was amazing and inspiring.

Avant-garde and Kitsch

Avant-garde is the idea of doing art/design work that is progressive and innovating but also it refers to the idea of there being a group of people being innovative. It necessitates Elitism that is it becomes less important if it becomes appealing to the public. The following sums up the term avant-garde.
Innovation [creating new stuff]

Experimentation [process involved in order to achieve new stuff]

Originality [to copy is bad, to be original is good]Creative genius [to bring out a hidden creative depth held deep within the student]
                       
                          We encourage you to develop your individual creativity to the highest level. . .

                                               ‘Concentrate on . . . .experimentation’

                       

                       Pablo Picasso                   Herzog & de Meuron                     Sandra Buckland
Kitsch

Any form of art which is not avant-garde is kitsch.