Out and About proportion>london David Bowie Exhibition V&A Museum
2
proportion>london have recently been honoured with the task of creating 54 display figures for the David Bowie exhibition at the V&A museum.
Above Installation view of “David Bowie is” exhibition sponsored by Gucci. Image courtesy of Victoria and Albert museum, London.:
Left: Striped bodysuit for Aladdin Sane tour, 1973
Design by Kansai Yamamoto Photograph by Masayoshi Sukita © Sukita The David Bowie Archive 2012.
Working alongside the V&A’s Costume Display Specialist, Lara Flecker and taking as a start point proportion>london's already svelte Metropolitan mannequin collection, it soon became clear from meticulous measurements taken from each garment that a leaner body was called for! This fact established; renowned mannequin sculptor Rob Patterson was called upon to re‐sculpt the figure, keeping the style but refining the shape and size. Toiles; canvas copies of keys outfits were produced to assist in the laborious process of fitting and honing the shape of the clay form, necessary to avoid putting stress on the delicate seams and fabric of some of Bowie's most spectacular outfits. Alongside the figure, the proportion team also worked from a life‐cast of Bowie’s face, creating a mask to be mounted over the mannequin’s facial features, reinforcing the projection of Bowie's multi‐imaged persona in each set. From the initial ultra‐lean sculpted figure, proportion’s skilled team of technicians cut and crafted each show‐figure to the specific position briefed by the V&A’s team, overcoming many visual and technical problems along the way. Stances such as a crouching figure wearing the knitted asymmetric Ziggy Stardust bodysuit from 1972 were particularly challenging, causing proportion’s Head Technician Sam Hoye to concoct an ingenious way to construct and assemble the figure without damaging the costume. Her skills were further tested when presented with a re‐sculpt of the feet to fit various higher heeled shoes; although working entirely from measurements and visual reference, the insteps were perfectly matched! The DAVID BOWIE IS exhibition runs from March 23rd until August 11th 2013.
Contact
proportion>london T: +44 (0)20 7251 6943 W:
www.proportionlondon.com
50
www.a1retailmagazine.com
Magnificent
A1
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84