Wednesday 29 February 2012

Armed and Dangerous Research and Ideas

I have decided to enter the Armed and Dangerous Competition as part of my 'Directed Study'. I intend to take a comic stance on the title and go against the already prevalent cliche of giant monster-type sculpts and look for a more dynamic dangerous character to create.

I have always loved the light satire surrounding Housewives in England and America. The element of this culture which inspires me most is what I like to call the 'ice-berg effect' of the feminine protagonists of the era. There is always more than meets the eye with these apparently 'simple' women which stay at home and look after the children. Many housewives in the 1930s and 40s were called up to take the places of their absent husbands who had left to fight, and were able to draw upon their already vast skill-base to efficiently replace their male counterparts in such a time of need. As a home-maker, a woman is expected to single-handedly keep the household running in peak condition, whether that be the health of her family or the condition of her curtains. It this inner strength which is found in so many, that I want to channel through with my sculpt.

I intend to take inspiration from 1920s - 1950s advertisement material and magazine media, the satirical 'perfect wife' film "The Stepford Wives" (both the 1975 and modern edition) and the recent film "Tangled" where the principle female character Rapunzel's choice of weapon is a sturdy frying pan. Throughout the Disney movie characters remark on the ironic efficiency of such an item for defending oneself. Hence the suitable irony to the title of the competition; Armed and Dangerous!

The infamous frying pan!



 A taste of the style I am looking for.


Research Links
http://missretroblog.blogspot.com/2010/03/how-to-be-1950s-housewife.html

http://zeldalily.com/index.php/2010/01/ever-wish-your-husband-were-a-1950s-housewife/

http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=uS40Sxqt6EIC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ViewAPI&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false

http://www.ashleywoodartist.com/

http://www.themomwithmoxie.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/likemotherlikedaughter.jpg

http://now-here-this.timeout.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/PerfectHousewifelogo.jpg

http://s.wordpress.com/imgpress?fit=1000,1000&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmybabynaturally.files.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F03%2F4202614077_fb0d6c294d.jpg

http://www.conversinhafashion.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/stepfordwives-1024x697.jpg

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-MvpPwkAjZVPt6cAYNSEE5J8V67LJFWdEL8N7OgDBmV40ZkfrsRHYrLhyphenhyphenfRpdEnDHApAyJAi3TbR42JVGpQaRsSoC20YtlfpmFJFBtCQEPOo53XXDjXeT3mKnhaMSOtNuX1CDtdXEMVQ/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QEWfq88zzQ&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRYfouuHPvs&feature=related

http://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/decades/names1950s.html


Lynn Herrick Photography - Posing Guide
http://www.herrickphoto.co.uk/poses.html
Photographer who looks at light posture and poses in her work here.

1950's Hairstyles - Zimbio
http://www.zimbio.com/1950's+Hairstyles

The History of 1950s Clothing | eHow.com
http://www.ehow.com/about_5100780_history-clothing.html

Vivien of Holloway - 1950s Dresses to Make you Swoon
http://fiftieswedding.com/vivien-of-holloway-1950s-dresses-to-make-you-swoon/:

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Robin Silcock

I am a Second Year Games Art and Design student at Norwich University of the Arts. After exploration of a number of roles in my first year, I am now looking to graduate as a 3D Artist with applicable skills in Maya, Mudbox, ZBrush and Photoshop. I understand that my skills in this field are not there yet - but I aim to achieve this goal through consistently working through the programs in my University and Personal Projects. I love to be busy - I have always had a lot of things on my plate since the age of 7 where I successfully balanced school with Ballet, Tap, Horse-Riding, French, Piano and Singing Lessons! In the same fashion, my university schedule is just as hectic and varied; I am a Peer Mentor to first year students, Student Rep for Second Year, and President of the Enterprise Society. Like I said, I love to be busy! I am a Games Hippie - so to speak - I believe that Games if designed and harnessed in the right way, will be able to help solve many of the global issues we have today - even if it starts off in a small way. Just look at the positive effects that Facebook and Twitter have already had... When navigating my blog;
  • Works in Progress - This section is a constantly running account of all my current projects - personal and for university. It will contain reference images and website links and sometimes less than coherent posts, so be prepared!
  • Finished Pieces - This is where you will find my more polished artwork. Looking for help with Maya? Check out the posts tagged "Maya How-To's"