A Thousand Paper Cranes - Week 7

A very creative session.

We started with making some shadow puppets using templates and samples.

Meanwhile, Bryony transformed the dining room into an installation, with 2 washing lines across it, and various pieces of fabric hanging down.

I set up the projector to show the animated loop of photos that were created last time we used the OHP and acetates. The hanging fabrics were various nets and cottons, so the projected images shone through and created intriguing multi-layering. This had created plenty of interesting angles to photograph. When the puppets were finished the experimenting with shadows began.

It’s impossible to resist trying hand shadows which added to the sense of play. The addition of coloured acetates gave incredible results. Even some dried weeds from outside were used to cast shadows like tree branches. This is a trick from live-action filmmaking, where an array of items, used to create shadows, are called ‘gobos’ or ‘cookies’.

The shadow puppets were hinged with split pins and it was easy to attach sticks to the pins. This meant we could hold the puppets at a distance, and manoeuver them around the projected image.

The Polar Bear stomped and climbed across wintery landscapes.

The owl swooped and prawled through the moonlit cloudy night sky.

One lady was so completely immersed in the ideas of layering, colour changes, texture, photography, spontaneity that she expressed she didn't want the session to end. The approaches we were exploring gave her lots of ideas for developing illustrations of storybooks in the future.

The camera was fun to use to explore the effects of the light playing on the layers of fabric, how the images altered through the layers, the shadows distorted on the ceiling. With such a wintery theme, one of the images has been chosen to use for ArtLink’s Christmas card.

I turned around to fetch something, and when I turned back a photographer was lieing on the floor, capturing a marvellous view. The silver sequins on one hanging sheet caught the colours from the projected photos. They shimmered and sparkled.

Such a fun and experimental session, it was remarked ‘It’s good to take the strait jacket off’ with a bit of creativity!