Essay Plan:
Redheads- Shedding the ridicule
Introduction:
Throughout history redheads have been feared and revered, loathed and adored, degraded and exalted. No other single human trait has provoked such a dichotomy of emotion in such a large number of people. In this essay I will be looking at:
- How redheads have been perceived in the past, how this has changed recently- influence of internet, fascination with the ridicule
- Viktor and Rolf’s fall 2003 Parisian catwalk featuring Tilda Swinton, analysing the imagery from the show
- Karen Elson in YSL Opium advert
- Analysing recent and current fashion, particularly how colour palettes catwalk trends and the models themselves have been affected
- Why this change has occurred from derogatory to positive
- The roots of desire by Marion Roach
Main body:
Paragraph one:
How redheads have been perceived in the past, how this is changing including:
- statistical facts and figures
-negatives surrounding redheads vs is minority more interesting?
-Celebrity influence- past famous redheads etc including Marilyn Monroe (chose to dye blonde)
Paragraph two:
Fashion trends and influences:
- Analyse recent and current fashion, including colour palettes, trends and models purposefully seeking redheads- WHY??
- Will it affect future catwalks?- Viktor and rolf catwalk 2003- Tilda Swinton
- Understand the pattern and influence in fashion and trendsetting
- Help consider future changes e.g new craze such as plus size modelling, fashion influences everybody!
- Famous celebrities and figures- Karen Elson- face of YSL perfume, Quotes
Paragraph three:
Future of redheads and the catwalk:
- Is this a permanent change? Is there more to come? - unlikely!!
- What’s for the future? Recessively dying gene- redheads around the world
- Brands and designs as an outcome- hair and makeup ranges etc- jelly pong pong range
Conclusion:
- Summarise influence fashion has, how this may affect future
- Future of redheads on the catwalk/ in general
- Sum up why redheads have been treated in the manner they have
Wednesday 2 June 2010
My initial thoughts and object analysis presentation
Redheads- shedding the ridicule
Throughout history, redheads have been feared and revered, loathed and adored, degraded and exalted. No other single human trait has provoked such a dichotomy of emotions in such a large number of fellow humans
Concepts/ideas?
• Main image: Tilda Swinton in Viktor and Rolf catwalk, Karen Elson in ysl opium ad.
• Generations of ridicule for redheads, never heroes, change now occurring
• Analyse recent and current fashion, particular colour palettes, trends and models themselves and purposefully seeking redheads, beliefs about
Why?
• New and arising trend into fashion, will affect future history , is changing the norm
• Help me understand the influence of fashion and trendsetting
• Help to consider future changes- e.g. plus size modelling, how fashion influences everyone and changes lives
Concepts/ideas:
• Is this a permanent change? Is there more to come?
• What’s for the future?- genetically dying recessive gene
• Is the celebrity influence the biggest?
• Analyse and discuss images of past famous redheads and century old theories- witchcraft
• Is the minority more interesting?
• Brands and design ideas as an outcome- females- make up hair clothes
• Redheads around the world
Research:
• Internet, blogs, books, history, magazines, quotes, opinions, readings, personal input
Resources-
• Marion Roach’s book- the myth, meaning and sexual power of red hair- trivial, opinions, perceptions and experience
• Pre-Raphaelite women- red hair, detail delicacy
• Botticelli’s work- artistic interest
• Statistical facts and figures 1483- 1784, 45.000 red heads killed
• British witchcraft
• So far found : Redhead as minority
• Prejudice
• YSL Shoot- opium
• Viktor and Rolf- catwalk dedicated- 2003 Tilda Swinton
• Prada- Julia hafstrom
• Famous celebrities- KAREN ELSON- FACE OF YSL PERFUME AND AMERICAN BRAND ST JOHN,
• Lily Cole,*** Tilda Swinton***, Nicole Kidman- surrounding popularity
• 50’s Hollywood- Rita Hayworth, Ginger Rogers, Marilyn Monroe
• Proof of increasing popularity and rights
• Guy Bourdin shoots in 70’s with Nicolle Meyer
"We redheads are a minority, we tend to notice each other - you know, and notice our identity." - Juliann Moore, actress
“ Once in his life every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a red head”- Lucille Ball
• Making a stand for themselves, turning round the view, feisty temper and sexual nature
Chris O'fili
In the Tate Britain running from the 27th January to the 16th May 2010 Chris ofilli held his exhibition, bringing together over 45 paintings the exhibition was somewhat interesting. On visiting the exhibition one of the First things i noticed was the elephant poo attached to each of the larger paintings, it seemed to be some sort of dedication but what i'm not sure. Ofili won the turners prize in 1998 and it is clear why, he is one of the most intensely colourful yet insightful artists i've seen, he manages to en capture pure detail from his culture, beliefs, religion and homeland, he uses rich thick layering of colours as well as glitter, cut-outs pins and magazines. His work when looked up close looks crazily stuck together and sometimes erotic but when taking a step-back appears to merge to form a larger picture and it works. You can tell his influences stretch from far and wide from his beliefs to Nigerian cartoons, one of my favourite pieces was Afrodizza second version (1996)
Ethical Fashion Forum
Today I spent some time in the Ethical Fashion Forum held in the Triangle Gallery at Chelsea college of art.
"The EFF network connects thousands of individuals, businesses, and organisations interested in a more sustainable future for fashion."
The day mainly consisted of arranged talks and seminars from different organisations of the EFF and believers in the theory. As a Textile student i whole-heartedly believe in ethical textiles, and trying to accomplish the manufacturing and design of Textiles in such a way that the environment is not harmed and also in doing the best by the people who work in the industry right the way from the farmers of the materials to the designers.
There are a number of different issues and goals surrounding what the Eff hopes to achieve, these include:
BURNING ISSUES
What is ethical fashion?
Fashion & development
Standards and labelling
PEOPLE
Wages and workers rights
Fair trade Culture
Sustainable livelihoods
ENVIRONMENT
Pesticides
Dyes Water Energy
to name a few, the Eff is designed to make people more conscience about what is happening as a result mainly due to the fashion industry, how product is wasted, the energy created to manufacture it and who it affects.
We were given the opportunity to visit the stalls at the show to try and understand more about how independent retailers are trying to make the difference and make people more aware of what is happening, the stalls featured a number of their products of which they sell to the mass consumer and information on how this is a step forward in making a sustainable future possible. For example GreenFibres was a company involved that deals with supplying eco goods, garments, and textiles. With over 30 different types of fabrics available retailers are now open to more eco-friendly options for similar prices as their already getting.
Another supplier is HempFabric, the company only stocks Hemp products, available for bulk buy or individual purchases.
The forum event proved that people are trying to make a change and are certainly moving forward with it, but whether in the future the whole textile industry becomes ethical is still shady.
"The EFF network connects thousands of individuals, businesses, and organisations interested in a more sustainable future for fashion."
The day mainly consisted of arranged talks and seminars from different organisations of the EFF and believers in the theory. As a Textile student i whole-heartedly believe in ethical textiles, and trying to accomplish the manufacturing and design of Textiles in such a way that the environment is not harmed and also in doing the best by the people who work in the industry right the way from the farmers of the materials to the designers.
There are a number of different issues and goals surrounding what the Eff hopes to achieve, these include:
BURNING ISSUES
What is ethical fashion?
Fashion & development
Standards and labelling
PEOPLE
Wages and workers rights
Fair trade Culture
Sustainable livelihoods
ENVIRONMENT
Pesticides
Dyes Water Energy
to name a few, the Eff is designed to make people more conscience about what is happening as a result mainly due to the fashion industry, how product is wasted, the energy created to manufacture it and who it affects.
We were given the opportunity to visit the stalls at the show to try and understand more about how independent retailers are trying to make the difference and make people more aware of what is happening, the stalls featured a number of their products of which they sell to the mass consumer and information on how this is a step forward in making a sustainable future possible. For example GreenFibres was a company involved that deals with supplying eco goods, garments, and textiles. With over 30 different types of fabrics available retailers are now open to more eco-friendly options for similar prices as their already getting.
Another supplier is HempFabric, the company only stocks Hemp products, available for bulk buy or individual purchases.
The forum event proved that people are trying to make a change and are certainly moving forward with it, but whether in the future the whole textile industry becomes ethical is still shady.
Horniman Musuem
Artefact:An artifact or artefact is any object made or modified by a human. In archaeology, an artifact is an object recovered by some archaeological endeavor, which may have a cultural interest. (wikipedia.com)
I recently visited the Horniman Museum in Forest Hill to view their vast collection of different artifacts and art pieces from around the world. The Horniman prides itself in having different pieces from all around the globe, ranging from Musical instruments from South Africa to an imitation of the extinct Dodo, it caters for all ages and even includes a small aquarium with an arrangement of fantastical fish.
The collection I was most interested at the time was the whole room collection of African history, the room featured different artifacts from Egyptian tombs to witchdoctor voodoo, it was the first exhibition dedicated to the African world and culture bringing together such a variety of different pieces there's always something to look at. In term of representing the whole continent of Africa is does it fair respectfully, there is a rich mixture, and the collection does not just focus on one particular part or tradition from Africa, related cultures such as Brazil and Trinidad are also featured.
Highlights include the bronze masks from Benin, a topic which was focused on in lectures and how this small piece of African history has been lost from its founding people to be stolen/taken and transported back to the Western world to be sold and shown off, how the classification of what these pieces are have created hierarchy and rivalry between different groups of people. Is it right to take such celebrated and ritual pieces for the African World and to put them into an entirely different context by housing them in our museums?
I recently visited the Horniman Museum in Forest Hill to view their vast collection of different artifacts and art pieces from around the world. The Horniman prides itself in having different pieces from all around the globe, ranging from Musical instruments from South Africa to an imitation of the extinct Dodo, it caters for all ages and even includes a small aquarium with an arrangement of fantastical fish.
The collection I was most interested at the time was the whole room collection of African history, the room featured different artifacts from Egyptian tombs to witchdoctor voodoo, it was the first exhibition dedicated to the African world and culture bringing together such a variety of different pieces there's always something to look at. In term of representing the whole continent of Africa is does it fair respectfully, there is a rich mixture, and the collection does not just focus on one particular part or tradition from Africa, related cultures such as Brazil and Trinidad are also featured.
Highlights include the bronze masks from Benin, a topic which was focused on in lectures and how this small piece of African history has been lost from its founding people to be stolen/taken and transported back to the Western world to be sold and shown off, how the classification of what these pieces are have created hierarchy and rivalry between different groups of people. Is it right to take such celebrated and ritual pieces for the African World and to put them into an entirely different context by housing them in our museums?
Wednesday 27 January 2010
Battersea antiques and Textiles fair
Last Sunday I visited the Antiques and Textiles fair run three times a year in Battersea Park, after seeing it advertised I went along with the thought it would be full of old and new textile, with upcoming designers and new, innovative designs, oh how I was wrong.
It was an experience to see but it was all very commercial, with stalls of upclass interiors and a main target audience of over 50's. it was very design, some displays and stalls proved very relevant to my current table theatre, all with a very large price tag though!
The fair was a place for potentail buyers to source a nice lampshade for their dining room or special plates for the kitchen, not something im particulary interested quite yet.
Some pieces were quirky, interesting, a taste of european design as well as British, there was even a walking stick made out of a stingrays tail- well what do you buy a man whos got everything?
Thursday 21 January 2010
"Neighbourhood colour" exhibition by Stage 2 BA Textile students
A viewing of the second year's students work, briefed to a "neighbourhood colour palette" of two contrasting London neighbourhoods and to capture the essence of both places.
After viewing the second years work it gave a good insight of what was to come for us, it seemed like an imaginative and interesting project which let the students really explore an area and different aspects of a place, much like our 'rough guide project'.
Everything was professionally displayed and fully mounted with all different varieties of medium and materials used throughout the specialism, it also helped me to realise the vast amount of materials and the boundaries that could be pushed within a set brief project.
Work I found which was most different to mine was that of Anjali D'Souza with her pixaleted boys work, she had taken inspiration from the glossy doors in Notting Hill and used print to create a series of Ties and Shirts, all in various materials and vibrant colours, it differed to mine in that her colour palette was so bold and bright and really captured the eye when first entering the room. Her use of print was also heavily emphasized on, something I have not used much of myself in my work.
Work more similar to my own style was that of Harriet Callingford, she had a piece named "Flock me" which featured a set of fabrics with her "addiction to rock steady Eddies, a far black fineliner, an idea of layering, and love of textured fabrics, a dream of merging digital and screen printing to an illustrative obsession". Her flocking and devoury onto fabric and different printing methods made the piece very interesting and different, with so many parts to a project Illustration is something I feature in my work, her style, with repetitive pattern and more "fun" Laura Mccafferty type textiles featuring real people and real objects interests me, the ability to work mixed media and experiment with different affects, I also like having different perspectives and meanings to work, to look at it one way and have it mean one thing, then to completely turn it around so it looks like something entirely different is very appealing to me.
I believe sustainability has been approached in the work, the students think more carefully about where their materials are being sourced from, but it may not be as noticeable or campaigned as other artists. It is not immediately obvious what has been recycled or sustainable from all the work.
On talking to current student Helen Truran, she explained that there was great freedom in the second year, anyone can pretty much do whatever they need to, and its good to experiment and use mixed media and cross over into different specialities, stage one is a time to learn alot in the blocks, its a good indicator of whats to come. She used different photographs and began to explore through photoshop to create a digitally metallic collection of menswear. Her timetable is flexible and second years mainly have long More progressive projects to go in depth and really get to grips with it, wastage is also kept to a minimum and sustainability always thought of! Looking around the show really helped to put work into perspective and make the realisation that no speciality is restricted to one area or way of working.
After viewing the second years work it gave a good insight of what was to come for us, it seemed like an imaginative and interesting project which let the students really explore an area and different aspects of a place, much like our 'rough guide project'.
Everything was professionally displayed and fully mounted with all different varieties of medium and materials used throughout the specialism, it also helped me to realise the vast amount of materials and the boundaries that could be pushed within a set brief project.
Work I found which was most different to mine was that of Anjali D'Souza with her pixaleted boys work, she had taken inspiration from the glossy doors in Notting Hill and used print to create a series of Ties and Shirts, all in various materials and vibrant colours, it differed to mine in that her colour palette was so bold and bright and really captured the eye when first entering the room. Her use of print was also heavily emphasized on, something I have not used much of myself in my work.
Work more similar to my own style was that of Harriet Callingford, she had a piece named "Flock me" which featured a set of fabrics with her "addiction to rock steady Eddies, a far black fineliner, an idea of layering, and love of textured fabrics, a dream of merging digital and screen printing to an illustrative obsession". Her flocking and devoury onto fabric and different printing methods made the piece very interesting and different, with so many parts to a project Illustration is something I feature in my work, her style, with repetitive pattern and more "fun" Laura Mccafferty type textiles featuring real people and real objects interests me, the ability to work mixed media and experiment with different affects, I also like having different perspectives and meanings to work, to look at it one way and have it mean one thing, then to completely turn it around so it looks like something entirely different is very appealing to me.
I believe sustainability has been approached in the work, the students think more carefully about where their materials are being sourced from, but it may not be as noticeable or campaigned as other artists. It is not immediately obvious what has been recycled or sustainable from all the work.
On talking to current student Helen Truran, she explained that there was great freedom in the second year, anyone can pretty much do whatever they need to, and its good to experiment and use mixed media and cross over into different specialities, stage one is a time to learn alot in the blocks, its a good indicator of whats to come. She used different photographs and began to explore through photoshop to create a digitally metallic collection of menswear. Her timetable is flexible and second years mainly have long More progressive projects to go in depth and really get to grips with it, wastage is also kept to a minimum and sustainability always thought of! Looking around the show really helped to put work into perspective and make the realisation that no speciality is restricted to one area or way of working.
Tuesday 12 January 2010
Visit to Blythe House
Blythe House is the current home to the V&A's vast collection of textile sample books and catalogues of past displays, all are archives, used for reference to the public and specially stored in room upon room of the history of (mainly) British textiles from the past.
Some of the books have been on display in the South Kensington Museum itself and others have been restored back to former glory after suffering damage, some were used in shops, haberdasheries and upholstery shops in previous years.
The books and catalogues have been donated and all are handled preciously.
We got the chance to view and read the books, looking at some of Liberty's original prints and Heal's furniture coverings. The trip was insightful to how important British textiles was and is, some of the patterns were inspiring and used age-old techniques, it's a rich resource to collate the history of the V & A and past textiles.
It all seems very secretive when your there, with the winding long corridors and unnamed doors filled with past history, it was definitely useful to know of Blythe House for future research and influences.
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