ASD

My recent contributions to Illustration blog Art School Disco

 

• Name: In the 7th Moon, The Chief Turned Into a Swimming Fish and Ate the Head of His Enemy By Magic
• Theme: Epic/legendary songs 
• Inspiration: Kasai Allstars (Congolese 25 piece super-band), metamorphosis

• Name: Tree a Plant 
• Theme: New Years Resolutions
• Inspiration: Reversal of plant a tree resolution, green energy, lower carbon footprints

•  Name: Happy New Year Katie
• Theme: Secret Santa
• Inspiration: Yvette Yang fashion typefaces, cats

 Images by KLV

Stage Face - Colour Symbolism

Kathakali

Kathakali originates in Kerela, India. It is a combination theatrical dance, song and mythology and is for the most part secular in that there is no connection with temple worship, though there are Hindu ritual and rebirth themes present. In Kathakali, the make up is the character and this particularly complex make up follows some of the following symbolism:

Green: Good

Red: Anger

Black: What is repellent

Yellow: Wonder

Eye makeup: Oval/lotus shapes for good , block/square for evil

The make up makes the character which makes the mood or abstract aspect of life

 Peking Opera

Now to East Asia and Peking Opera which has distant religious roots but is generally another secular entertainment. Characters are once again heavily defined by the the face and the expressions determined by mask and make up, from feminine gentleness to brutality. Artistically stylized designs are vital in Peking Opera to provide the audience with instantly recognisable characters and historic figures. Once again we have integral colour symbolism:

Gold: Divinity, supernatural beings

Yellow: The imperial colour, reticence (whole face)

Black: Impetuousness or (strict) law abiding

Red: Courage, loyalty, faithfulness

White: Brutality (whole face), scoundrel/clown (patch across nose & eyes)

Blue: Cruelty

Green: Demon/devil

Living Jewels

The title says it all. 

Thanks to Katie for this one!

 

 

The NYE Post

This NYE consisted of drinking, dancing, seeing old friends and acquaintances whilst dressed in smart attire with parrot feathers upon my head. The theme was Hollywood and it took place at the Cygnet Hotel, a place that I must have passed thousands of times in my life but never thought I'd spend NYE there. Saying that I was expecting a good night and these expectations were surpassed, one of the better nights to see in the new year. 

Happy New Year..

 Images by KLV

Ara - The Parrot

Having bought my ticket for the Hollywood themed party at the Cygnet Hotel, post to follow, I decided to assemble a statement piece for the occasion. Months ago I received bunches of feathers from a friend via Sea View Wildlife Experience (formerly Flamingo Park) and these included about six macaw feathers. I can't be certain but my best guess is that they belonged to a scarlet macaw (amongst the more well known), as depending on lighting all the primary colours can be seen much like in this particular bird. Anyway when it came to constructing a headpiece with these beautiful feathers I began with the standard hairband style using millinery wire much like I've posted previously and the gold stag detail is present thanks to Katie, which I think finished off the piece nicely and also helped me decide the wearing gold or silver jewellery dilemma! The name 'Ara' is also the genus of macaws to which the most famous belong. It is also a constellation, Latin for Altar and specifically that used by Zeus.

I love the effect my camera flash has on the feathers!

 

 

Images by KLV