Part 2 Project 2 Wrapping

 

Exercise 6 Straight wrapping with threads

Beginning this exercise I chose to reflect over artists that use a wrapping technique gathering together a pin board on Pinterest  https://pin.it/7iqDulX

I then had a look through cupboards and draws looking for something I felt inspired to wrap. I felt impelled to wrap the whisk. I think the reason I was drawn to the whisk was because of all the possibilities to wrap the sections of the whisk as well as the whisk handle already being wrapped. 

                                                            

To see what shapes could be achieved and as a base for further samples. So taking a plain white yarn and wrapping it around the whisk tightly. The handle part I found it easy to wind around but it became tricky when it came to the mixing part. It began to slide down and bunch up, trying to cover the whole part to several attempts. Resulting in me pulling the yarn up and holding it in place, once I'd got the yarn around a few times it began to hold in place. 

Reflecting on this sample, it is still visibly a whisk. The neater parts on the handle make the shape more visible, whereas the messier wider end was less obvious. Although I like the neater more regimented lines of the handle wrapping, I think I also like messiness of the larger end as it slightly changes the shape. Basically, what I am taking away is that I like both processes but for different effects. 

This led onto using a more unusual material, using masking tape. The sticky surface made it a lot easier to hold into place. And I think it would work well as a base layer but as it is, its very bland. But I could add coloured yarns over the top or other material. This could make for an interesting sample. 

                                       

Going from a bland flat surface to a fringed yarn to create texture. Winding it around tightly and loosely, tucking the lengths into each other to hold them into place. I like the texture created with this yarn, its also softens the outline of the whisk. Creating a  watercolour type effect, which I wanted to show in a sketch.

Folding lengths of foil to make strips to make yarn, then overlapping the wraps over each other. Spinning up the handle to the larger part of the whisk. And as with the first sample, the larger part was trickier to hold in place. But was somewhat made easier as the foil could be pressed and moulded around the shape. 

The foil created and interesting texture although rough looking it was smoother to touch. Again, this would make a good base but maybe a less more simple coverage over the top. Or perhaps even adding items underneath creating unusual outlines through the foil. 

The final sample I went for a softer yarn. Cutting lengths of a bin liner wrapping a knotting them into place. Changing the thickness and appearance of the yarn by pulling the lengths. What I am taking away from this sample is how pleasing the loose ends look. The tailing off the pulled lengths, creating soft lines. 

Then moving on with my ideas, using the whisk as a way of displaying the yarns. Loosely winding the thin wire around the whisk, moving in and out around the individual arms. Creating a spider web effect. I then tried to with a clear thread, but the thread became lost on the whisk. The nature of the yarn also meant it slipped down the wire and became very difficult to keep in place. 

Then going for a more controlled wrap mixing black wire and bright green plastic covering. In order to get the plastic covering to stay in place was tricky. I then came up with the idea of putting the wire through the covering and the it around the handle. Then for the middle part of the whisk using the just the wire to wrap around like a coiled spring. For the final part using the plastic covering without the wire. This made it harder to control and created a looser wrap.

Mixing traditional yarn with less traditional strips of bin liner. Both materials I have used previously but this time using them in a different way and creating a very different look. Creating softer, more flowing lines. The white yarn is lost behind the black strips of plastics which swamp the whisk. In fact the whisk is lost, reflecting on these images. But I don't think that's a bad thing as I like the shapes that are formed over the whisk. 

For my final sample I gathered together a selection of yarns which coordinated well together. With a very natural earthy tones, again using a loosely wrapped and draping the yarns over and around the whisk. Making the whisk look like it could have been washed up on a beach wrapped in seaweed waiting to be found. What would look really interesting is if the whisk was rusty, then it really would have looked like it had come from the sea.

Exercise 7 Wrapping with materials and threads

I first picked the paper for this sample, being drawn to it by the straight lines and the regimented layout of graph paper. I then picked the cooling block, I liked the lines and thought it would give an interesting surface to work with. Folding the paper with a concertina fold, to mimic the ups and downs of the cooling block. Unfortunately though once the tape measure was wrapped around it the folds were then flattened and lost. I chose a measuring tape as I felt like it fitted the sample theme, with measurements and lines.

Next using contrasting materials the soft against the hard. Using tissue paper and silver beads to represent chains. Making the item inside seem precious, with the wrapped around beads being locked in together by a padlock. Making the padlock appear to be holding the binding together. 

I like the mysteriousness of this wrapping and binding, not knowing what's encased within the wrap. But it must be important by how secure it is.

I wanted to bring some colour to my samples, choosing the plastic strings which I have used in my previous pieces. Using knotting to secure the plastic strings in place. Being frantic in my wrapping and leaving the ends loose free. Wrapping the cooling block in clear cellophane and twisting it into a  knot which is then held into place with multiple knotted plastic strings.

I like the use of colour in this sample and the chaotic nature of the lines, that look a lot like a scribble. I  think it could be developed by adding other plastics, like cable ties, rubber bands or lengths of carrier bag. 

This sample was more about the wrapping than the thread. Using foil to mould around the cooling block to make more of a feature with the angles of the cooling block. Due to the nature of the material used to wrap it didn't really need a thread to hold it in place. 

I wanted to keep the lines visible so wanted to make the wrapping minimal but at the same time wanted to add colour again. I found some coloured pipe cleaners which could be moulded around the block, like the foil could. The soft lines of the pipe cleaners contrasted with the coldness of the foil. 

My final piece I wanted to use the features of the wrap which was made from parcel packaging. I like the interesting surface with multiple slits across the brown paper.  This meant that I could weave brown yarn through the paper, securing the lengths of yarn in place with knots. 

 

I also like the fact that depending on the angle of the sample you can see through the wrap to the cooling block, giving two different qualities to the wrap.

On reflection I wish I had explored other threads, perhaps another colour to make it stand out from the paper. I also wish I’d tried to secure the ends in some fashion to hold the cooling block in place. 

Exercise 8: Uneven wrapping 

I originally began with one of my daughters toy watering cans, but then quickly realised the size and my time constraints was going to make it very difficult to work with. But as I had already started to knit with the bright coloured yarn I wanted to keep on the toy theme. Something playful and fun to coordinate with the yarn. 

I chose her hammer like toy, which was bright in colour and an unusual shape to work with and wrap.

I took the knitted panels and began to wrap them around the toy. Due to the nature of the panels they would slip down the toy. So I used wire to wrap around the knitting to hold them in place. I like the way the panel is wrapped around the head of the toy creating little openings where the protruding parts her. This sample reminds me of the yarn bombing where knitters cover everyday items in knitting.

Using items used before, again head interesting to wrap, I like the way I was able to use one piece of yarn to go around and around to be``     the as I wanted to develop the previous sample with the plastic yarn by using cable ties I chose to bring them into this piece. Using them to hold the wrap into place.

I think this is one of my favourite samples, wrapping the toy in a black bin liner first make sure it was completely covered. Then taking a selection of netting from, packaging and lengths of video tape. Either wrapping over or around the toy. 

It would work well with my sample with the whisk with the green yarns wrapped around it. As this sample could also have washed up on a beach, wrapped up in old fishing nets and discarded plastic.

Wrapping the toy in a basic sheet of white cotton. Then taking lengths of ripped satin like material. Knotting the the lengths together to make one long yarn. Leaving the knots visible and letting lengths of the fabric from the knots hang loose, letting them tail off. 

 

This sample is the one that doesn’t show the shape as clearly as the other samples. I like the way the branching of lengths of yarn distract from the item hidden within.

For this final sample I wanted to keep it really simple this time using the yarn to completely cover the toy. Firstly I’m not sure why I picked the pink as on reflection the protruding parts now look like pig snouts! What I did find difficult was to keep it near as well as covering the whole toy. Again the ball shaped top made interesting overlapping angles. Not being able to secure the yarn in place meant that I had to get creative in the way I wrapped to secure it. 

 

I feel I could develop this sample further by using the yarn as the base and then adding layer of wire or something similar but fine. As I’d like to be able to see the base yarn through the wrapped layer.

Reflection

It did not help that I had deferred for 6 months after having a baby. It was hard to get the creative juices going. But once I got started with the sketches, but it wasn’t until I started using the materials that things got more interesting. I felt more inspired and felt more experimental with materials I had to use. 

I enjoyed knitting with this section of exercises. Although my knitting skills are basic I would like to develop them further. I also found it a relaxing exercise to do, especially when times were chaotic and stressful. 

 I have also enjoyed using the less conventional yarns such as plastics creating different uses for it and experimenting with it working out what it’s limitations are?

I believe I  created a diverse collection of textures in this collection of samples. From the soft textured wool wrapped around the whisk, to the foil wrapped cooling block. Creating hard raised surfaces with plastic, smooth surface with the plastic carrier bags. Both plastics but in different forms, with polar opposite effects.

Some materials were easier to work with than others. The softer more agile materials were easier to mould around the items I was looking to wrap. Making it the silhouette of the wrapped item visible. The harder more rigid materials were harder to mould around the objects, obscuring the silhouette of the wrapped item.

Not only was it the material used to wrap the items that changed the silhouette but how it was wrapped. The looser the wrap the more obscure the silhouette. The tighter the wrap the more defined the silhouette became.

I tried to use colour more in this section of samples, in the past I have tended to stick with more natural colour palette. I have tried to think about colours that would either compliment each other or the item I was wrapping. Playful, colourful palette to portray a childlike effect.

Then taking a selection of yarns of varying textures and shades of green. Giving the effect of seaweed. In fact reflecting back on the piece now the balloon shape part of the whisk reminds me of the nose of a submarine. 

 

Least successful- the foil covered cooling block.

 

I think I could of taken this sample further. The thread (pipe cleaners) were to simple. There was still a vast amount of surface to cover. And with the foil having a reflective surface, I wish I had experimented materials and yarns that could have been enhanced with the effect.

 

Most successful- plastic covered toy 

 

What I like about this sample is that not only is the silhouette slightly distorted, but also the different and textures and colours that are used to wrap the toy. From the smooth bin bag covering the toy to the rough food netting twisted around the toy and at the ends of the toy. The dashes of colour also broke up the stark black of the plastic covering. 

I found my research really useful, not only researching but also setting up a Pinterest board. I like to do visual research first being inspired by artist work, once drawn in by their work I liked to find the story of how the piece was created. Helping to set my thought process for the exercises in this unit.  

Sorting

I reflected over my work during part 2 and selected 3 pieces that I feel I could develop into series samples and ideas. Although they were not originally the same idea but I feel as though they have naturally fallen into the beginnings of a future project. 

The first selection looked a more neutral colours, on reflection the dark plastic reminds me of the darkness of the sea, the plastic netting resembling the fishing nets abandoned in the sea. The yarn wrapped and draped like seaweed on a rock. 

Where as the second set of samples was all about colour, fun, chaos but also about memories and fondness. Like the patchwork quilt, this is an idea I would like to explore further.

I used my sketchbook well for ideas, but felt I could of used it more to record successful outcomes. And I need to be more adventurous with the materials I use to record these outcomes.

Research has been imperative in this unit, it helped to get my creative juices going and inspire my ideas. Not only using artists work but the things around me as well. Building a group of successful samples to base future work on.

 

        

Reflection

Using a wide variety materials, using materials that compliment either the materials being joined or the items being wrapped being sensitive to the shapes being incapsulated. 

Exploring new technique's and developing the techniques I have used previously. Observing what worked well and what did not work so well. The ones that did not work so well often developed onto happy accidents. 

Using my observations of the world around, such as my work with joining angles. Becoming visually aware of inspiration for my sample ideas. And then working on ideas that coherently together. 

Researching ways to join and then pushing them to beyond the normal. The more freer my mind was the more interesting the samples became. Then spending time reviewing the finish item and feeling inspired of how to develop that sample and noting that throughout my blog.

I feel there are several key ideas that have potential to developed further to interesting, creative ideas. I want to continue on bringing colour into my work. Being experimental with it and pushing boundaries, continuing to keep my ideas in my sketchbook. 

I am excited to move onto the next assignment using new materials and techniques.