DR2007 – Student Blog

WHAT IS THE TECHNIQUE?

The resin and the latex technique was taught and demonstrated this week.

WHAT ARE THE RELEVANT MATERIALS NEEDED FOR THE TECHNIQUE?

The relevant materials need for the latex technique is the mold release spray, a bottle of Tiranti’s natural latex, the hardener and mounds. Others materials like paint, ink, dye etc can be mixed into the mixture as well. For the resin technique, a bottle of EasyCast clear casting epoxy, hardener, mold release spray, and molds , with small objects like beads, flowers, paints, dye can be incapsulated to create something unique.

HOW TO ACHIEVE THE TECHNIQUE?

Basically, for both techniques, it is crucial to mix the recommended ratio between the latex/epoxy, with the hardener. Otherwise, it will either crack, or take longer to harden. And, it is also important to spray a layer of the mold release to ensure that the piece can be removed from the mold. What are the uses and applications of the technique These two techniques can be used to make jewelry, coasters, decorations etc.

PROCESS OF LATEX AND RESIN

OWN PERSONAL REFLECTIONS

I thought it really fun and interesting. I also found out that natural materials like flowers or leaves, will loose its color when mixed with resin. However, using paints, beads can create really unique texture.

Through the private tour, we know that STPI opened in 2002. It was allocated 30 million dollars. 10 million each for renovation, shipping of equipments, and Tyler Kenneth’s collection. Tyler Kenneth is known for being a master printer. He started his life as an engineer. He used what he had learnt in engineering, using existing technology, to create tools for artist. Some techniques like paper making was introduced and explained and demostrated. At STPI, artist can engage with paper from scratch. It gives artist the freedom to express and experiment with different things as to come out with something unique, and innovative. STPI invites around five to six artist each year. Inviting both established and emerging artists. Coming here as a artist resident, they are given roughly four weeks to work with the people at STPI, and come out with something for a exhibition.

Going there, we had the opportunity to see the work of Aaron Curry. His works are inspired by the music, colours, biomorphic shapes, body parts, and BMX. One of his works, was inspired by his favourite band called the ‘The Kings’. He work kind of translates the music into visuals. As he grew up in a middle class family, he was surround by BMX, skateboards, which then influenced his choice of colour for his works. I thought the field trip was really interesting and useful. Being able to see how different artist creates their own unique style through their personal experience from where they are from.

WHAT IS THE TECHNIQUE?

In this week, the knitting technique was taught. What are the relevant materials needed for the technique Yarns, knitting needles, and any other yarn-liked materials like thin metal wires, thin ropes.

HOW TO ACHIEVE THE TECHNIQUE?

Start off by casting on onto the needle. Move on start on a particular stitch and keep going. Lastly, finish off to prevent it from unraveling.

WHAT ARE THE USES AND APPLICATIONS OF THE TECHNIQUE?

The knitting technique can be used to make tops, sleeves, cushion, cardigans, lamp shades, blankets.

PROCESS OF KNITTING

OWN PERSONAL REFLECTIONS

I thought it was quite confusing and difficult at the start. But once you understand how to do a stitch, the rest of it is just repetitive work.

WHAT IS THE TECHNIQUE?

In this week, both the fiber etching – Devore and bleaching technique are taught. Both of the techniques are demonstrated in class.

WHAT ARE THE RELEVANT MATERIALS NEEDED FOR THE TECHNIQUE?

The relevant materials need for the bleaching technique is dark coloured polyester cotton fabrics, bleach and rubber bands to secure the fabric in place (To create designs, similar to tie dye). For the fiber etching – Devore, we need are viscose velvet/satin, fiber remover agent, silk screens, silk screen tools and iron.

HOW TO ACHIEVE THE TECHNIQUE?

In order to achieve the bleaching technique, first start by folding/tying to create a design when the bleach is sprayed on. Secure the folding/tying in place if needed using the rubber band. As the bleach is strong, use mask and gloves. Spray on the bleach onto the fabric and wait for the bleach to eat into the fabric, and wash off to end the process. For the fiber etching – Devore technique, start off by cutting the amount of velvet you want. Prepare the designs, and onto the silk screen. Using the silk screen method, lay down the velvet onto the table, place the screen over, and using the fiber remover agent, silk screen onto the velvet and leave it to dry. Dafter drying, iron till it turns dark brown-ish. Try to scratch it out, making sure it comes out nicely. To finish up, wash it in warm water, and hang to dry.

WHAT ARE THE USES AND APPLICATIONS OF THE TECHNIQUE?

These techniques can be used for skirts, tops, bags, pillow case, and anything…

PROCESS OF BLEACHING

PROCESS OF FIBER ETCHING

OWN PERSONAL REFLECTIONS

I thought these techniques are really fun. What is unique is that for the bleaching technique, you will never get something the same. Depending on how long the bleach stay, more colour is bleached out.

WHAT IS THE TECHNIQUE?

For this lesson, we learnt how to print using the silkscreen method with thermochromic inks.

WHAT ARE THE RELEVANT MATERIALS FOR THIS TECHNIQUE?

The relevant materials are silkscreen ink, silkscreen panels, and silkscreen tools. And coloured powder (if silkscreen ink is transparent) and fabric(to transfer print on).

HOW TO ACHIEVE THE TECHNIQUE?

In order to achieve this technique, using thE silkscreen method. After having the intended design onto the silkscreen panels. You can mix your own silkscreen ink colour by buying the transparent ink. By doing that, it changes the colour of the ink when it is cool. You can mix it with acrylic so that when the design is heated, it will change to that colour.

WHAT ARE THE USES AND APPLICATIONS FOR THE TECHNIQUE?

This technique can be used for clothes, furnitures, bags, cups and more.

PROCESS OF PRINTING WITH THERMOCHROMATIC INKS

OWN PERSONAL REFLECTIONS

I thought this technique is really cool and interesting. You can mix different colour of acrylic paints to play with the different colours when it is heated.

WHAT IS THE TECHNIQUE?

On this field trip, the magic touch heat transfer is demostrated. Along with using conductive threads to sew on shirt, allowing it to light up. What are the relevant materials needed for the technique

THE RELEVANT MATERIALS NEEDED FOR THE TECHNIQUE?

The relevant materials needed for this technique are the magic touch transfer paper, heat press machine, printer, and a small amount of water. How to achieve the technique In order to print on fabrics like cotton, use the magic touch T.one paper, and print image. Place the print facing down onto the cotton. Using the heat press machine, heat it for about 3-5 seconds, and remove paper. Print is then transferred to t shirt (cotton). To transfer prints on dark coloured material, use the WOW7.8 paper, and print on it. After that, face down onto cotton material, and heat press again to transfer print.

WHAT ARE THE USES AND APPLICATION FOR THE TECHNIQUE?

These techniques can be used on t shirts, tote bags, cushion covers, caps, mugs, plastic and leather products too.

DOCUMENTATIONS

OWN PERSONAL REFLECTIONS

Techniques like this are really useful. You still can use these techniques to design your own merchandise at home. As the heat press machine can be replaced by using a iron at home as well.

WHAT IS THE TECHNIQUE?

In this lesson, I learnt techniques that can be used to manipulate fabric, plastic, leather and paper. The main technique that was taught was the Smocking technique. Another technique is to use elastic thread to sew fabrics together.

WHAT ARE THE RELEVANT MATERIALS NEED FOR THE TECHNIQUE?

The relevant materials needed for this technique are fabrics like felt, leather, plastic, elastic thread, hand sewing needle, and the sewing machine. How to achieve the technique In order to achieve the smocking technique, draw a set of grids on to the desired fabric. With the help of internet references, sew each one and ending each with a dead knot. Using elastic thread to sew to create a form of texture.

WHAT ARE THE USES AND APPLICATIONS FOR THE TECHNIQUE?

The uses of this technique can be used to create wearable art like cardigans, scarf, jewellery to even pillow cases and more. The technique of sewing with elastic thread can be used for clothes, like the sleeve, waist and more.

PROCESS OF PLASTIC MANIPULATION

PROCESS OF FABRIC MANIPULATION

OWN PERSONAL REFLECTIONS

The techniques taught are really useful. There are many things you can do with these techniques. It is interestung to try and incorporated it into the final project.

WHAT IS THE TECHNIQUE?

Wet felting, needle felting, and Applique was taught in this lesson. The techniques were demonstrated in class. What are the relevant materials needed for the technique The relevant materials needed for this class are felt wool, welt sheet, felting needle, soap (for wet felting) and also different fabrics for the applique technique.

HOW TO ACHIEVE THE TECHNIQUE?

For the wet felting technique, start off by creating your design with felt wool laid out on the table as you want it to be. The wool should be pulled apart gently, to prevent the wool from being to thick when it is being wet. When securing it, start of by putting warm water onto the design, and go on by adding a bit of soap, and start rubbing in circular motion to let the soap go into the design. For the final step, wash off the soap and let it dry. For the needle felting technique, pull the felt wool apart, use a sponge as a base, so as as to not damage your felting needle, and start using the felting needle to poke it. as you go, start adding more felt wool until you reach the desired size. For the applique technique, bring out your creativity by using different design cloths and threads to make it more unique. Plan the design, and cut up cloths to sew together. The different sewing styles can be implemented to make the design even more interesting.

WHAT ARE THE USES AND APPLICATIONS OF THE TECHNIQUE?

The techniques can be used to make curtains by up cycling unwanted cloths. Pillow covers and more. For the felting technique, you can make jewellery and wearable things like earrings and scarf.

PROCESS OF APPLIQUE

PROCESS OF WET FELTING

PROCESS OF NEEDLE FELTING

OWN PERSONAL REFLECTIONS

The felting technique is really addictive and fun. The best part is that you can keep adding on as you go, without the need to actually redo it. And you can do many things with this technique as well.

WHAT IS THE TECHNIQUE?

In this lesson, thermoplastics and vacuum forming was taught in class. Examples were given by the teaching assistant. She also showed her work which which she made using the thermoplastic method.

WHAT ARE THE RELEVANT MATERIALS NEEDED FOR THE TECHNIQUE?

The relevant materials are 100% polyester, objects like marbles, acrylic pieces which you can tie into the polyester to make forms onto the polyester, with rubber bands. And lastly, objects which can be vacuum formed.

HOW TO ACHIEVE THIS TECHNIQUE?

In order to use the thermoplastic technique, start by tying objects like marbles etc into the polyester, and tie it with rubber band. Furthermore, you can manipulate the polyester by twisting, tying a knot, etc to create a texture too. After that, wrap it in a foil to keep it from opening up when boiling. Boil up to about 45 minutes to make sure the objects that are tied into the polyester makes an inprint on to the polyester, to prevent material wastage. For vacuum forming, materials are just placed into the vacuum form machine, with a piece of plastic over, to create the form by heat and vacuum.

WHAT ARE THE USES AND APPLICATIONS OF THE TECHNIQUE?

Uses and applications for the thermoplastic technique can create wearable art which is very interesting and useful. As usually most of these wearable art are very expensive. By doing it yourself, it is cheaper and customisable as to size and design.

For the vacuum form technique, the form can be made, and resin can be used to create things like jewellery, furnitures etc which is really useful and fun.

PROCESS OF VACUUM FORMING

PROCESS OF THERMOPLASTICS

OWN PERSONAL REFLECTIONS

Both techniques are really useful. The thermoplastic technique can be use to make lamp shade, curtains, which you can make together, and make it a set. It will look great in a home, around the house.