one incarnation of collar?

This is what it looks like right now. I want to test a few more industrial materials. The fish line as the structural support (the warp) could be interesting as it is transparent and non organic. I’m hoping to find something that is of the machine but not wire or steel wool, but can be woven. Another interesting bit is that the steel wool piece will rust a lot more if put in water. Could be neat to play with that. It will disintegrate into rust dust in the end, but that could be fun too.

When I find the right materials I’m thinking of shaping the weaving into elaborate collar shape such as seen on Elizabethan costumes. Below is a rough sketch of the collar and how it would look on the warp. I’m excited about making it. For now.

Inspirations

I am inspired by highly decorative, intricate collars of the Elizabethan costume that communicated social status its wearer. Historically only the highest echelons of society were allowed to wear and able to afford these collars. They were luxury signifiers of wealth and social status, similarly to today’s latest technologically enhanced textiles and bodies.

I was also inspired by Vivienne Westwood’s strategy of referencing historical costume to comment on current issues. One example of this is her Mini-Crini collection where she takes the Victorian bell shaped skirt and shortens it into a mini. I wanted to play with this idea of reusing an established form such as skirt shape or a collar and shifting it to a new ground.

I also found Bart Hess’ and Lucy McRae’s creations interesting and inspiring. I was drawn to the Hunt for Hightech fake fur collection with its mutant, grotesque, hairy, scaly, foreign yet familiar aesthetic.

The Project, finally

I’m making a a woven collar using industrial or machine related materials. The collar is to have an appealing visual aesthetic that is to contrast its unappealing tactile properties. In doing so I hope to bring in an element of surprise for the viewer.

The form of a collar is significant because of its functional reference to the neck, a vulnerable and sensitive part of the body that we comfort and protect. My metal collar will not fulfill either of those functions. If worn it is irritating, itchy and discomforting.

In making it so, I wish to communicate my concern with our technological age and its rapid conquest of the body. Our perception of technology and its benefits is highly susceptible to manipulation. We are desiring (needing) more technology, while our attention to our own intricate inner processes as well as our connection to the natural world decreases.

For materials I have successfully used linen and steel wool, but wish to try a few more alternatives. I was considering using coarser steel wool or copper wire with a different material in the warp. Instead of linen I will try wire, plastic or fishing line.

For all the right reasons.

I have to admit, I’m ambiguous about technology. I’m attracted to novelty and yet, I find it gimmicky a lot of the times.  I looked at the hug shirt, and the signaling bike jacket and scent dispensing dress and felt a sort of a tickle, like when someone is spinning a story and I’m not quite buying it. I get the avalanche jacket,  and maybe the soft keyboard, but no edible, implantable permanent techno/body interface. It freaks me out! Where do we stop? Anyone?