From these samples done by tutor, it's obvious that stitch is such a highly experimental specialism. The whole process is full of explorations of materials and technicals, which is quite free indeed. And this is the most attractive
aspect of stitch to me as I'm always unsatisfied with only following the existed technics .
These three samples are the first stage works. The reason why I chose felt was that felt is rather good for making structures. I basically chose hand stitch as my designs were quite 3D and needed to be shaped.
At the second stage, I added other fabrics into felt layers in order to make sorts of combinations of both texture and colour. This image is about strips of fabrics that have been cut off when I did my work.
The following samples come out as a whole series. Except stitching fabrics together to make shapes, I pulled out threads in order to use the fabric edges, and I also used tubes as well as beads to make more creative decorations.
The first unit basically consists of Rough Guide project and blog.
First of all, we went to Brick Lane as a whole group to take a rough view about that area. I took some pictures about things that cached my eyes immediately as I saw them. It's essential to show the characteristics of Brick Lane in my own way. So I shot objects that really attracted me, recording the feeling and aura that I felt. Thus I could select out the objects that would present my own personality. Based on the first visit, I went there on my own again and did further research about a few specific objects which had been chosen out. As i was not familiar with Brick Lane at all, the process of doing research became a quit new experience to me. Despite any sort of descriptions or knowledge, I didi this research full engagement and thinking which led me to look for the details that I always missed in the past. And the result termed out that by having a specific aim, it's rather helpful to collect information. As for the application of the selected information, I'd like to use the mosaic series as an instance. After I taking a few pictures about a whole wall which had mosaic on it, I realized that the texture and colour are exactly what I was interested in and looked for, therefore, I printed those pictures out and played with the sale and composition. I even cut some pieces off, trying to present a new effect.
The other project was the blog. Honestly, this is a new way of learning I've never had. By finishing study tasks and recording learning experience, the blog provided me with a chance to keep evaluate my study process. Despite having lectures, I spent leisure time visiting museums, doing research and reading reference books. After that I pushed myself to think more and write down what I had thought out. It's indeed a good practice of time management and self-engagement. On the other hand, I've found out that I lacked for academic knowledge which made my blog not deep enough. To solve this problem I definitely need to read more in the future.
The first stage of Winding&Wrapping
on paper cards
here comes more thread
Winding&Wrapping is an extraordinarily interesting experiment, as it allows me to play with colours and materials. During the process, I kept trying new combinations of colours which were of course based on the colour theme I had already chosen. When I've done several pieces on paper card I started to think why not change the object that has been wrapped.
Collecting has always been an obscure concept. It can be treated quite seriously and, at the same time, it's often done deliberately. It's unfair to say any way of them is wrong because collecting is basically very personal activity. The attitude which the collector has chosen by him as the object has been chosen. But generally speak, collecting can be roughly divided into two types. One is collection because of the value and the other one is collecting to make value.
Some people started to collect objects since they found out either financial or mental value of them. In the first case, it's general that lots of things are collected just to be used again, in other words, they are kep to avoid wasting money. Due to this reason, these collections look rather ordinary. obviously, this action can be only described as habit and has nothing to do with emotion. But the truth is it's precisely reflact the nature of human being that continually collecting requists for living and surviving. As for collecting things that worth in mental value, it frequently happens by accident. This for of collectors are more negative and passive as they won't collect objects until somethings happen on them. For instance, on may decides to collect old clothes that are belonged to his mother who are dead. These old clothes meant nothing to the collector and doubtlessly he had no interest on them either. But after his mother's death, these clothes suddenly aquired a value that beyond their previous one. Thus led to the person's later collection. Ohter cases may befell on people who would like to collect things that have connection whith their friendship, childhood, love relationship, etc. These collections, consists of totally different types of object, and the collector himself has no idea about finding some particular cateloges to organized them. Collecting is not an exploring experience but a recording process. They kept collecting because they didn't want to forget the past, either good or bad, and continually look backward refusing to have memories without evidence.
Compair with collectors that have been discussed above, collectors who have particular goals are more ambigulers and positive. First of all, they treat collecting seriously because they are interested in the object that he has chosen. One might found he couldn't stop buying a sort of thing, and that was the beginning of his collecting career. With such strong emotion, collectors are become absorbed in completing their collections. Though there won't be an perfect ending of those collections. Professional collectors then will make several plans about collecting which include researching from reference recourses, spotting rare objects, buying in the newest stuffs, etc. And of course, they often focus on on object and be sensitive with it in his entire life. As the collections grows, they must learn to organize them as well. It's an essential stage which is as important as adding new objects. But fortunately, on can always be the director of his collection, as the orders and catologes are decided by himself. If they'd like to show their collections to the public, then they just seemed like a private museum. Alternatively, they can just enjoy others appreciation and ignore those drugments. During the process, collectors will find relaxions, joy and confidence as they gradually become authorities of their own object. They accumulate not only collections but also mental satisfaction, social net and treasure.
In this makeup collection video the collector wants to show us how she stores her makeup, what kind of makeup is actually in her whole pink room, she also wants to give people ideas of how people can organize things. She's doing this not only because she does makeup everyday, but because make up
has become a huge part of her life. Besides this one, she even made a series of videos which cover each catalogue of her makeup collection. She has a special room which is specifically designed to storage her makeup collection. The wall has been painted pink and is full of cupcake shaped object, which indicates that the collector is very romantic indeed. She's got a tall book shelf which is used as a shelf of nail stuffs. She's got a L shaped desk which makes her makeup room much more like a lab r office. On the desk, there're different sized containers that loaded with palettes, brushes, eyeliners,etc. There's a very large mirror which you usually find in the greenroom. Under the dest there're five or more drawers that are full of makeup products. They have been well organized, for instance, the lip glosses were divided by shade.
This video is about Monster High Doll collection. The collector just started to collect Monster High two months ago. The dolls that show up in the video were just a mall part of her collection as the others were still stored in the box to preserve their hair. She posed her dolls on several sheaves and introduced their names on after another, which in rather amazing. As each doll has got a specific name, the collector was like talking about a group of real people. And obviously, the collector is aiming to get all sorts of different Monster High Doll that have been designed out, and looking forward to purchasing the latest addition.
I have to admit that I was really struggling when I used the knitting machine. I t's really difficult to control, as the thread always broke in the middle or stuck in the machine.
pile of knitting samples
I still prefer to hand knit rather than struggling with knitting machine. Indeed I do like the texture and effect of hand knitted works which are more free and experimental.
I have to admit that the biggest improvement I've made since I came to London last year is that I am really enjoying hanging out alone in this big city. I even believe that getting lost is such a fortunate thing. One person can always meet unexpected surprise by accident in London, a city which is full of culture and creativity. In other words, you can find out new things only when you totally get lost. And that's indeed the joy of exploration.
Last weekend I chose Covent Garden as my start point and alternatively traced one route towards a spot that I pick on the map as my destination. I walked around Covent Garden, feeling the joy of being one of the happy and relaxed crowd. I roamed along the way without thinking about anything, but looking up and down. Only in this way can I catch every detail that around me, for instance, the flower on balcony, the book read by people who sitting in a cafe, the funny effect of street art, etc. What a pity if a person always holds a cellphone in hand following the route directed by google map, as he's going to miss all these sorts of experience.
Fortunately, I got a trick this time as well. Just when I arrived at a theatre where Mamma Mia is played, I saw a street map which indicated that there's a gallery called Somerset House nearby. I recognized the name immediately, since I was sure that I had seen its add in the tube station. Guess what, it was hosting an exhibition about Tim Walker's photographs!! That's exact what I had planned to visit someday. And doubtlessly, the exhibition was extraordinarily good indeed.
