Custom Mannequin Project
Mannequins should represent a more diverse range of body types. A group of mannequins representing a range of body shapes have been created in order to emphasise how unrealistic the current standard of mannequin is.
Casts from volunteers were used in order for the Custom Mannequin Project (2014) to represent a range of body types. Each limb comes from a different volunteer. All volunteers were accepted irrespective of their body size, they ranged in age from early twenties to late fifties.
From a distance the mannequins appear as if all limbs came from the same person. Upon closer inspection it is apparent that they are all slightly different, be it in muscle tone or lack of, shape, length, girth, wrinkles etc. This ultimately draws in the viewer, encouraging a closer inspection of all limbs. As all detachable limbs employ the same connection fittings it is possible to configure them randomly, creating no seamless fit at all.
The Mannequins in the project hold poses more natural and active than factory mannequins, who regularly appear in awkward passive poses that people can't emulate well. They are engaged in an act of defiance against the media's representation of women's bodies, represented by a pile of women's magazines. Installation for the exhibition Site 2014 will see the four mannequins surrounding a large pile a women's magazines. One mannequin holds a lighter, preparing to set the pile alight, while another holds a petrol can ready to feed the flames. The third mannequin is shaking her fist in encouragement, while the fourth, consumed by rage is applying Beauty Redefined's body positive sticky notes over unrealistic images in magazines.
No permanent reusable molds were used in this project. Just as people can not be replicated en mass, neither can these mannequins.
Casts from volunteers were used in order for the Custom Mannequin Project (2014) to represent a range of body types. Each limb comes from a different volunteer. All volunteers were accepted irrespective of their body size, they ranged in age from early twenties to late fifties.
From a distance the mannequins appear as if all limbs came from the same person. Upon closer inspection it is apparent that they are all slightly different, be it in muscle tone or lack of, shape, length, girth, wrinkles etc. This ultimately draws in the viewer, encouraging a closer inspection of all limbs. As all detachable limbs employ the same connection fittings it is possible to configure them randomly, creating no seamless fit at all.
The Mannequins in the project hold poses more natural and active than factory mannequins, who regularly appear in awkward passive poses that people can't emulate well. They are engaged in an act of defiance against the media's representation of women's bodies, represented by a pile of women's magazines. Installation for the exhibition Site 2014 will see the four mannequins surrounding a large pile a women's magazines. One mannequin holds a lighter, preparing to set the pile alight, while another holds a petrol can ready to feed the flames. The third mannequin is shaking her fist in encouragement, while the fourth, consumed by rage is applying Beauty Redefined's body positive sticky notes over unrealistic images in magazines.
No permanent reusable molds were used in this project. Just as people can not be replicated en mass, neither can these mannequins.
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