Island Creatures Part 3

Instead of dog walking I've taken to running with the dog (second week in) and this means I leave the camera at home. However that doesn't mean I've stopped seeing the local wildlife, the variation of which has come to surprise me recently! I still see the usual magpies, herons, buzzards etc but most of the following I'd never knowingly seen in the wild before (as stated before no photos below belong to me):

Eurasian Jay

1 sighted

Grey Wagtail

2 sighted

Either Snipe or Woodcock

4+ sighted

Either Short Eared or Tawny Owl

2 sighted

Our dog Izzy with her friend Dotty (Images by KLV)

Open/Closed

On Friday 10th February the Art School Disco collective exhibted work within a biscuit factory in Bermondsey, ranging from kites, painting, prints, videography and hats. So enjoy these photos of our artwork as taken by myself and photographer for the night, Sabina Campbell.

Simon Abbott

 Ben Phe

Johnny Ace

 Ed Brown

Katie Allen

The space

Keiron LeVine

Ancestors

My first hat/headdress/mask collection:

Mesozoic

This mask/headband was one of the first ideas of the collection, in fact it sparked off the idea for collections name of 'Ancestors'. Mesozoic is the era that encompasses the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods where Dinosaurs existed.

Pounce

This hat was to make the link between the Dinosaur design and those that are bird or feather based. The name inspiration is obvious, even more so when worn as the lizard is very animated.

Majesty

 Inspired by the diverse range of headdresses from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in particular those of  the Yaka and Pende people as well as the Bwami society of the Lega. The name signifies the importance of head wear as a representation of power.

Ara

Ara is the genera of parrot that the scarlet macaw belongs to, the same species that these feathers belonged to. Using them in head wear is reminiscent of South American styles where the macaws are naturally found.

Trove 

As the name suggests this is intended to be a a treasure pile of kinds but also a nest. Much like the magpie or the bower bird who collect coloured/shiny objects to adorn their nests/bowers.

Wildnernis

The German and Dutch variation of the world 'wilderness'. This piece is a combination of British and European birds and butterflies, combined with the famous Mohawk hairstyle which has been in existence from around 392 B.C. to 201 B.C. with a mummified corpse discovered in Ireland to back this up.

Pelt

The first of two masks, Pelt highlights the habit of animal print being associated with African mammals (except Tigers). There are also links here to the DR Congolese headdresses and their use of animal skin or parts. 

Era

 A collage of fossilised creatures with the name 'Era' being self explanatory.

Skulk

Apart from sounding extremely similar to skull, the most prominent material used, 'Skulk' is also the term for a group of foxes which the skull happens to belong to. I found, cleaned and treated it myself then wore it to the private view of Open Close pop up exhibition I shall blog about shortly. It's the only hat to feature a mammal part.

Slumber

 The second piece that deals directly with dead animal, 'Slumber' of course means sleep which is what some consider death. The way in which the sparrow is preserved allows it to sleep amongst the feathers of others. The sparrow itself was a present from when I left Southampton.

Images and Headwear by KLV

Trove, Wildernis and Majesty

With the 'Open/Closed: A pop up gallery' coming up fast, I've decided to make a selection of hats and headdresses to be suspended from the ceiling/beams and hopefully to be interacted with by the private view guests. The latest additions to the collection are:

Trove

The original idea was to create a nest like base however I combined this with the cocoon habits of the caddisfly (in particular the project of the Hubert Duprat). Another influence was the bower bird, who collects coloured items to decorate a small area for the purpose of courtship, leading on to other birds with similar habits such as magpies. 

Wildernis

Dutch for Wilderness, this piece is a composite of large European bird feathers and pre printed butterflies from a book of cut out DIY mobiles.

 

Majesty

Majesty was made during my weekend stay in Southampton, though the influences for the piece can be found as far as the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Feather trim, leopard print button and gold chain form the majority and hopefully it's vaguely reminscent of a central African headpiece.

 Images by KLV