S K I N¶

Introducing the first charater of my project - The Skin

D E S I G N¶

The design consists of a 'Sculpted' bodice with draped fabric + inflatable glove

Material - Cotton, Gelatine biomaterial, Inflatable latex

Incorporating Weeks - Textile Scaffold, Soft Robotics, Bio-materials

Inspiration - Classical sculpture, Bodybuilder, Play with body ‘ideals’

R E S E A R C H¶

Esmay Wagemans Amsterdam based sculpture artist. Wagemans started creating sculptures as a conductor for creating futuristic fragments/scenes and modern allegories, her artworks’ storylines’ only existing through her process. Lifecasting, mold making and 3D printing techniques are at the forefront of Wagemans’ work, sculpting unusual materials into wearable sculptures, accessories (and props). @esmaywagemans

Arnold Schwarzenegger - Ballet Lesson

I N S P I R A T I O N¶

Left - Undine Rising from the Waters by Chauncey Bradley Ives (1810–1894)

Right - My trial with cotton and plaster to create a sculted torso

Inspired by Textile Scaffold week I wish to revisit my observation of Wet Drapery a technique used in sculpture in the Classical and Hellenistic periods.

Inspired by extreme muscles in the form of body builders e.g. Arnold Schwarzenegger and questioning what is skin ? in the form of latex gloves

T E S T S¶

S C U L P T I N G¶

Since I wanted a very 'sculpted' bodice, I tried a few different methods of stiffening fabric (cotton) around a mannequinn arm to see how well it would manipulate and hold it's shape.

N O T E

I covered the mannequin arm in plastic cling film to ensure it would keep it clean and that I would be able to take it off after.

1 - F U S I N G

Using a meduim-weight interfacing fusing fabric, bondaweb and selected cotton fabric, I shaped these around

Image showing method (from left to right) - 1 - Wrap interfacing fusing (sticky side up) 2 - Cover layber of bondaweb over 3 - Wrap cotton fabric over & use heat and steam from iron. Take off after

R E S U L T

The fusing did not do what I was hoping to achieve. It holds a shape but it is very delicate. I will not persue with this method.

2 - C O R N S T A R C H

After doing some research online, I discovered cornstarch can be used as a natural stiffener for fabrics.
Some tutorials that I observed DIY Fabric Stiffener with 2 Simple Ingredients and MACRAME - HOMEMADE STIFFENING SPRAY - CORNSTARCH

The general recipe from the tutorials is 1 tablespoon to 1 cup of cold water

I wanted a very stiff mixture so I used a ratio of 2 : 1 (water : cornstarch)

RECIPE
Water (cold) - 180 grams 
Cornstarch   - 90 grams

Add the cornstartch to cold water and stir. 
Heat mixture and stir
Add fabric (backside into mixture)
Let dry

Image showing cornstarch mixture + fabric

3 - B I O _ M A T E R I A L

Inspired by technique in T E X T I L E _ S C A F F O L D week and adapted recipe from B I O _ M A T E R I A L S week

RECIPE
Gelatine (powdered) - 24 grams
Glycerine           - 6  grams
Water               - 120 grams

Heat & mix well
Add fabric + sculpt onto shape
Allow to dry

Image showing comparison of Cornstarch with Gelatine Bio-material.

C O N C L U S I O N

I felt the Gelatine Bio-material worked best to stiffen the fabric and achieve the quality that I wanted most.

I N F L A T A B L E _ L A T E X¶

I attended a workshop on how to make latex garments many years ago. I have always been fascinated by inflatable latex, which I really wanted to try. It was difficult to find information online how to achieve this, it appears to be a niche craft. Eventually I found an online workshop available here which I had to purchase. Since it is not my information to pass on, I will forward anyone who is interested in this to participate in this in depth workshop.