Gardens in Pockets

I came across an advertisement for Woolly School Gardens, a non-profit, in the New York Times. It made me think of Maria and her exploration of materials to use in her growing garments. These wolly pockets are made from "the highest quality, sustainable and locally produced materials we can find. Our breathable felt is made from 100% recycled post-consumer plastic bottles (PET)."

Contemporary Art or Material Culture?

I came across this article that touches on the nebulous, perhaps at times contested, space that contemporary costume and garment-based work occupies in the artworld. Since this is a topic of conversation and investigation in our class, I thought you all mightbe interested:

The soundsuits of Nick Cave: Contemporary art or material culture?

Clearly Communicating Expectations

In an effort to have frank and clear communication about the requirements of MME I and admittance to MMEII in the Spring, I have created the following rubric. Assessment criteria for this class are based on the fact that the class is an upper level capstone class, requiring a high degree of commitment, team-work and self-direction. Student performance will be evaluated on a case by case basis by me, your instructor, and by your colleague's/classmates' feedback. The intent in posting this 'rubric' is not to intimidate you; rather it is my attempt to make transparent the assessment criteria for this course, support each other's progress towards individual goals and towards the group's goal: the Multi Media Event in April.

In order to be admitted to MMEII, you must be able to demonstrate your ability to:

1. complete a substantive body of work by February that relates to the concepts discussed in this class, specifically experimental fashion.

2. constructively participate in the collaborative design, organization and production of a multi media event .

Satisfactory progress towards these two objectives will be assessed by the following criteria:

1. Presenting a compelling body of work that is at least 60% complete by December 14. This could be constituted by:

a. 3-4 completed ‘looks’, costumes or garments OR 7-8 looks that are 50% towards being completed, or equivalent

b. a proposal and completed elements/components for a performance, video project or other relevant work

2. Demonstrating the following in individual projects, class activities and assignments:

dependability and reliability (as demonstrated through follow-through on tasks and assignments, punctuality and attendance in class and class related events)

thoroughness and thoughtfulness in work (craftsmanship, care, attention to detail as relevant to the work being undertaken)

completing assignments and meeting deadlines

the ability to work independently and be self-directed

ability and willingness to communicate with peers and instructor (as demonstrated through active listening and participation in critiques, discussions in class, responsiveness over email, participation in the blog)

commitment to constructive collaboration with peers (as demonstrated through a balance between one's individual interests/needs and vision and those of the group)

being responsive and reflective towards feedback (as demonstrated by active listening, questioning, reflective journaling or writing, revisiting work and making revisions, etc.)

We will talk about this more in class. Please do not hesitate to ask me for clarification on any of these points.

I meant to post this a while ago but I never did. This is a video Harmony Korine did for Proenza Schouler's Fall 2010 collection. I thought it was a really interesting combination of art and promotion...
Anyway, it doesn't have anything to do with my presentation but I think everyone should watch it!
-Molly

Amelia - Edouard Lock

This dance film was shared on the Platform 13 website by Boudicca, the design team I will be presenting on. I know I will not have time to show this during my presentation time and its really not related to the designers other than that it has served for them as a beautiful piece of inspiration, as I think it can do for many members of the class.

The video can be accessed through this website
http://www.platform13.com/pages/cinema/cinema_lobby.html
I'm sorry I can't embed it.

-Sarah

Janelle Monae: "Many Moons"

This music video, other than it portraying a multi media, plays with the ideas and the format of the runway. It uses the runway as an auction/slave block which plays with the ideas of commodity in fashion and the role of the model on the runway. When models are on the catwalk are we being sold the clothing or the model and the idea we can look like them? Also the idea of the model being just a walking mannequin, or androids in this case. Also it uses the format of the runway as a narrative element which I find very interesting and helps to flow ideas of how a runway show can be more multi-dimensional and in-depth.

-Jacob

Bizarre Star Wars Japanese Commercial