Self-Directed Project: 'Defining Practice' Pt. 2

For the last segment of my project brief, I once again revisited my interest in exploring costume as a medium for my artwork. In fact, I worked on two separate costumes though one of them mostly involved re-using components of my previous costume piece, The Dealer. This costume was based on the Japanese mythological creature, the Tengu.

Tengu (2012)

Much like the Dealer, I chose to present myself publically with this costume, amusingly enough while being escorted by volunteers for a charity group.

At the point of undertaking this more unconventional means of exhibition, I was in the process of making my final piece for exhibit on our first year show close to the end of the year. This costume was actually a development from the Beelzebub piece. I used the wire torso from the original Beelzebub project and covered it in cloth and latex. The hands were reused too but I had to make the arms again from scratch. This time, I built them from cardboard and latex. This was to create an insectoid form.

The idea of this piece was based on how sources suggest that Beelzebub's name may have originated from a insult directed towards a Middle Eastern deity. I intended to therefore portray the character as having been pulled down from its former grace, now pathetically crawling around hoping for aid, unable to hold its own body together, let alone stand up.

I originally planned that I would wear the costume throughout the week of the art show but instead decided to only do for the private viewing.

Baal-Zebal (2012)

During the improvised performance, I had arranged for it all to be filmed by a fellow student.

At this point, I increasingly come to understand the relevance of costuming in my artwork, at the least in understanding that I found an invested interest in it. On another note, I was surprised to find an interest in lino-cutting and printmaking. This may have been because of my experience in exploring the works from the likes of the Vorticists, as mentioned from my last post.

I know that into my second year of university, I hope to further explore costume as a medium in my artistic practice and better develop an understanding on my growing interest. From this, I hope to therefore draw conclusions on what I hope to do as an artist.

Baal is Dead! (2012)