EXPERIMENT BEYOND THE SURFACE¶
“THROUGHOUT CULTURES, MYTHICAL CREATURES HELP US UNDERSTAND TRANSFORMATION,WISDOM, AND OUR CONNECTION WITH NATURE.”¶
Throughout history we can find deities and mythological symbols that have guided civilizations and represent the roots of their cultures. This is the case of Japan and Mexico. These are countries that, depite beign geographically distant, have many things in common. We share values and philosophies and one example are the feathered serpant of Mexico, Quetzalcoatl and the dragon of Japan, Ryū.
The Feathered Serpent, one of the major deities of the ancient Mexican culture. The word Quetzalcoatl is a combination of Nahuatl words: Quetzal is the magnificent bright green bird and coatl means snake. This deity refers to the union of terrestrial and rain waters. Quetzalcóatl, connects the earth and the sky, representing creation, knowledge, spiritual guidance, and rebirth. Ancient myths describe Quetzalcoatl/Kukulcan as revered throughout Central America and Mexico for his gentleness, intelligence, and his patronage of arts. The Aztecs believed that he “created the world,” and they dedicated temples to him like in Chiche Itza. The Aztecs believed that Quetzalcoatl was a redeemer, and that he would someday return and claim his kingdom.
The origins of the Japanese dragon trace back to a blend of indigenous beliefs and influences from Chinese and Indian mythology where the dragon reside in deep seas or under lakes and are known as guardians of the water. Often serving as mediators between heaven and earth.The Japanese dragon is a revered figure, a symbol of strength, wisdom, and protection. The japanese dragon is a creature of water and Air, associated with protection, wisdom, fluidity, and transformation. The Year of the Dragon, known as “tatsu-doshi” in Japan, holds cultural significance in the country, where it is revered as a water god. This mythical creature is associated with health, energy, bravery, and trustworthiness. In the lunar calendar, the Dragon is the only imaginary creature considered an auspicious symbol.
I want to explore the meeting point between two mythical powerful symbols of two distant but spiritually connected cultures: the japanese dragon and the mexican feathered serpent. These two figures serve as metaphors for movement, transformation, change, and learning — values that deeply resonate with the experience of this course itself.
Who: The University Students¶
During all my years as a professor of Fashion Design at the University, I have noticed a lack of vision on the part of the students, towards all the opportunities that the Fashion Industry offers them. Fashion goes beyond the classic garments that you can find on the shop, Fashion is creativity, innovation, the development and the use of new technologies where they can explore and make a difference, have a voice and transform the world we are living in.
What:Creating something new¶
As Fashion is more that just clothes and the country where I live is a place full of history, colors, mythical ans spiritual, transformation and much more, and as Now a days we can find a lot of japanese influence with their philosophy way of living and their garments, I would like to merge these two mythological cultures into garments that carries their essence.
Not a costume, but a wearable: somethinf fluid, adaptative and symbolic at the same time. A offtit that not only reference them visually, but behaves like them, changing, adapting ans responding to the surrondings. I would love to explore some themes like:
Fluidity - Movement Transformation - Change Duality - Softness and structure Tradition and Technology
When:During his student life¶
The students are today learning new things, a new discipline. It is important for them to realize that outside the competition is fierce and they need to stsndo out by applying all what they have learned, innovating, creating and experimenting new things.
During this time, developing the final project, I would like to get some student involved, working hand by hand with me and opening their minds to a hole new universe of opportunities, new ideas,new materials, new challenges.
Where: At University ans into the real life of a designer¶
Trough the awakening to new horizons and realizing all the things the Univertity has to offer and that they do not use. Specially emphasizing the important to rescue and preserve their identity, their idiosyncrasy, their roots and being coincious of the importante of taking care of the environment, the sustainability and the social responsability specially with the artisans not only in their country but through out the world.
Why¶
To encourage them to experiment different things. To visualize that Fashion is much more tha just clothes. That there is a universe of possibilities, creativity, innovation, technology and sustainability to explore.
Becuase both cultures have a lot in common, and a lot to share to the world. The Dragon and the Feathered serpent have many simmilarities like:
1.- They represent the inherent duality and balance of the human being existence and its connection to the physical and spiritual world. 2.- Both creatures are fundamentally depicted as large, serpentine beings. 3.- They are associated with water and weather. Benevolent with nature 4.- Symbolism of power and creation 5.- Both are guardians of the cosmos.
Their colors as well have a meaning as you can see in the next table:
| Color | Quetzalcoatl | Dragon Ryū |
|---|---|---|
| Blue | Divinity, water, sky | Compassion and forgiveness |
| Black | Wisdom and knowledge | Wisdom gaines through experience |
| Red | Cycle of life, vitality, power, death | Strength and passionate power |
| Yellow | Growth, stability | Nobility and helping others |
| White | Creation, light, gentleness and potencial | Purity and virtue |
| Green | The Quetzal festhers, fertility new life | Nature and life |
How¶
I would like to apply most of the subjects that we review during the course. I know it is difficult but that is part of the challenge itself. Some of the things that I would like to implement are:
Digital Fabrication & Patterning • Parametric patterns inspired by dragon scales and feather geometry. • Laser-cut modules that interlock or transform.
E-Textiles & Soft Circuits • Subtle LED circuits mapping the “energy flow” of the creatures. • Conductive threads tracing sacred patterns and changing brightness with movement.
Bio & Sustainable Materials • Biotextiles dyed with natural pigments referencing fire/air/water. • Possible use of bioplastics for lightweight scale or feather parts.
Composites & Molding • Flexible composite pieces that mimic serpent armor. • Molds for ornamental shoulder or back elements.
Textile manipulation • Pleating or smocking to evoke movement and body metamorphosis. • Embroidery patterns Sashiko
Wearability & Interaction • Modular fastening system: pieces that can be removed or reconfigured. • The garment transforms like the myths themselves.
I got inspired by the work of Zander Webster, Zahia Albakri and of Fabricademy and reseach I made on the subject
Zander Webster Zahia Albakri Pattarapont Kittisapkajon Florencia Moyano
Moodboard¶
Inspiration
Color moodboard
Gantt Diagram¶
BOM Chart¶
| material | price | link |
|---|---|---|
| coton | 2.3 | link |