Materials Research

Materials

1. Seashells

How are seashells made? - Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (ref. https://www.whoi.edu/know-your-ocean/did-you-know/how-are-seashells-made/)

Seashells are created by molluscs to help protect them from predators. When a mollusc dies it discards its shell, which eventually washes up on the shore. This is how seashells end up on the beach. (ref. https://sciencing.com/how-seashells-formed-4923554.html )

Seashells are known for use in jewellery but they are also used to make buttons and musical instruments. (ref. https://www.britannica.com/science/seashell )

Seashells are typically very hard, textured and mainly matte on the outside whilst being smooth and shiny on the inside.

Seashells - Minnie Muse Janine Janet for Balenciaga, Bust of Neptune, 1950 (ref. https://www.minniemuse.com/articles/art-of/seashells )

2. Lace

Needlelace border (ref. https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/inside-the-fascinating-history-of-european-lace )

Lace can be made by hand or by a machine. Lace is manufactured by weaving together tens or even hundreds of spools of thread. There are different types of thread used in making a piece of lace. There are two main forms of handmade lace: (1) Needle lace – a lace made using a needle and thread. (2) Bobbin lace – a bobbin is a small spool that holds thread. (ref. https://www.discoveryuk.com/how-its-made/how-is-lace-made/ )

Different types of lace are commonly used to accentuate or decorate garments, upholstery, and homewares, and this fabric is only rarely used to make entire textile products. (ref. https://sewport.com/fabrics-directory/lace-fabric#:~:text=Lace%20is%20a%20delicate%2C%20weblike,to%20make%20entire%20textile%20products. )

Lace is a very delicate and intricately woven fabric, however the complexity is determined entirely by the manufacturing process. It is historically associated with the upper class and even royalty. However contrastingly in today's society it is often associated with lingerie and sensuality turning it from a prestigious symbol into a provocative symbol.

Image may contain Human Person Clothing Apparel Evening Dress Gown Robe Fashion and Runway Look 12, Alessandro Michele for Gucci, Spring 2022 (ref. https://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/spring-2022-ready-to-wear/gucci#review )

Processes

1. Subtractive process - carving

'Jacob and the Angel' by Sir Jacob Epstein https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/epstein-jacob-and-the-angel-t07139

2. Additive process - stitching

'Derek's Garden' by Cas Holmes https://casholmes.uk/work-2/

3. Formative process - moulding

'Come, Helga' by Rebecca Warren https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/warren-come-helga-t12258

Research

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