Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Gravity gone mad

Watching documentaries on the universe is a sure way to make you feel unbelievably tiny and insignificant in relation to.... well... the universe itself. Despite the fact that my existence is now burdened with overwhelming feelings of unimportance and triviality, I am getting great enjoyment and inspiration from these documentaries. Here are some clips from my latest favourites (NB. watching documentaries like these is not recommended before you start your day, as everything you do will seem a little pointless, and you will have thoughts like ''...but why do I even care about going to that class? I am merely a tiny piece of nothing in the scheme of things... think about supermassive black holes... think about the rarity of life in the universe!" Or maybe that's just me.) 





Animated model of a black hole - stills from Part 1 Super Massive Black Holes BBC Horizon.




After those feelings of insignificance wear off, it's back to to task at hand - my graduate collection. Black hole formation and diagrams are something I find inspiring, and could be translated to garment construction in an interesting way. I would like to try experimenting with a more abstract approach to pattern making that could visually (and obviously, simply) reflect the warp in space time that a black hole creates. 

The Japanese pattern book 'Pattern Magic' offers an abstract approach to pattern making that the Japanese are renowned for. This book has changed the way I think about pattern making, and has broadened my ideas on the shape and form of a garment... really pushing the 3D element of design. 




A black hole is simply 'gravity gone mad'. This dress (below) from 'Pattern Magic' mimics the model of a black hole.




Creating 3D geometry and sculptural folds in garments is something I am currently experimenting with in the studio. I am taking inspiration from this method of pattern making and applying it to my designs to visually reflect the orbital, spherical and planetary aspects of my concept. 


I will post outcomes of my experimentation soon...

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Digital Artwork by Andy Gilmore

Andy Gilmore's artwork will suck you into a vortex of swirling colours and transport you to a parallel universe... 





















Have a look at Andy Gilmore's blog to see some more...

"Out of The Cradle, Endlessly Orbiting..."


A visually inspiring and sensory masterpiece - Stanley Kubrick's film 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968).  In my opinion, one of the greatest films ever made, 2001: A Space Odyssey is an experience far beyond the time of its release. 

A science fiction film that explores themes of human evolution, artificial intelligence and extraterrestrial life. 

Scientific realism, pioneering special effects and ambiguous use of special effects creates other-worldly surrealism. 


The following are stills from 2001: A Space Odyssey.
 
Radial Geometry 
Perspective
Contrast
Separation

Endless darkness and blinding life

Spherical

Luminous Crescents

The following images are stills from the famous 'Star-gate' sequence showing futuristic and tripped out coloured lights that mesmerise you and almost suck you into the screen. The scene is achieved through split-scan photography of moving images of paintings. 





Check out the scene (for some reason - probably because of my amazing technology skills - the clip is smaller in size than actual screen size, so double click on it to view full screen)...


The following images represent that feeling of total immersion... enhanced by the combination of intoxicating brights and textural experimentation that extend this sensory experience into the fashion realm. 



Outer-space and galactic obsession ... not geeky! 

Above: Inside cover from Oyster Magazine Issue 82, 2009


Above: Peter Pilotto dress and pants showing printed star-scapes. From Oyster Magazine, Issue 80, 2009.


The above images are from Oyster Magazine issue 83, 2009. Dress and belts (worn as jewelry) by Rachel Sherwood.


From Armani Prive Spring/Summer 2010 couture collection. Georgio Armani was inspired by the moon in a fun, light-hearted way and the show was blindingly lunar.