Research of headwear
I have the idea about nine-colored deer, and I choose the element of deer horn to represent this deer. But the horn shape and how to wear is quite basic, I found two artists make headwear.
Philip Treacy is the hottest hat designer in the world. His headwear became famous among European aristocrats and Hollywood royalty. He is known for upending people's perception of hats, and is committed to designing hats that highlight his personality. He said " It's an enigmatic object that serves the human purpose only of beautification and embellishment, and making one feel good, whether you're the observer of the spectacle or the wearer. " So he let me realize, the shape of the horn can be changed. Different structures and size can make this piece of jewelry more modern, even more interesting. Could show out the meaning back of the jewelry.
These are the art works of Dinu Bodiciu. He is also a famous hat designer. His practice focusses mainly on designing head wear with a strong emphasis on challenging the use of new materials/ textile of hat making. I think two artists has a same point, both of their hats are attractive. Not only a hats, they have somewhere to show out the charming place. Also Dinu Bodiciu's hats can fit in the models head perfectly, this idea solve the problem I was thinking about, how to connect the headwear with my head.
Research of Dover Street Market
I’ve been to Dover Street Market Wednesday. There has many unique and fantastic design of jewelry.
These two are huge necklace. They really attract me because they are colorful, and quite horrific. The mouth with sharp teeth just like a mouth of a monster. In many myths, not only Chinese I’ve saw plenty of paintings about monster. Also about the second one, full of eyes. There is a monster in myth called the mesh ghost, which has hundred eyes on body. They linked to my project and I think the technique is wonderful. I plan to make a headwear jewelry, try to find some materials are light and maybe easy to shape. Also add some bright color inside will make it attractive.
( animal horn )
I saw some specimen of ancient birds and bones. In Chinese Myths, many strange creatures are the combination of many different animals. They may have horns and feathers at same time, or nine heads like birds. I want to add some bones or feather inside, to link those strange creatures.
These are simple animal jewelry I saw in this market, they didn't transform the structure of animals or enlarge one of the characteristics.
Research of myths creatures
The koi's development is similar to the goldfish. In ancient China, there is a saying -- Carp jump through the dragon gate. That means a person has became prosperous and successful in official affairs. In fact, the early koi is only the royal palace nobles, prominent officials and other family ornamental fish. As the time past, koi spread in folk, people make it as a symbol of good luck and happiness.
( The original look of Xingtian in The classic of Mountains and Seas )
In Chinese mythology, Xingtian, who used to be a subordinate of Emperor Yandi, is full of artistic talent. Xingtian was a powerful general, with a shield in one hand and a big ax in the other, he fought against Emperor Huangdi alone. Although he was strong and powerful, he was not match for Huangdi, and has been killed. Fearing his resurrection, Huangdi buried his head far away from where his body. As expected, Xingtian did not give up easily. Failing to find his head, he took his two nipples as eyes and his navel as mouth. Brandishing a shield and as, he roars indignantly to the sky.
The phoenix, king of birds in Chinese mythology, is an auspicious sign. To commemorate the dancing phoenixes appeared at his birth, he makes all the birds his officials. For example, the phoenix is put in charge of the calendar, swallows, quails and golden pheasants govern the seasons, the powerful and strong vultures are the army officials, the impartial and incompatible eagle takes charge of laws.
Bird -- Jingwei
Cat with one eye and three tails -- Huan
Research of feather
( Alexander McQueen 2018 )
They use cloth and tassels to produce the feeling and texture of feathers.
I saw this suit at Dover Street Market. The whole suit is made by real bird feather, very comfortable but weak, easy to broken. The color and texture of bird feathers are wonderful.
Same as the upper one, this shirt made by bird feather, but more colorful.
Different from those real bird feathers, this costume is made all by cloth. It's from Alice Starmore's book. They cut cloth into shape of feather, more strength and stronger.
"To show the true and hidden beauty of materials, I must listen to the sound of materials from the very beginning," Mersh said. Rowan Mersh always use different materials to form patterns or textures. This is the feather texture made by Mersh.
Different structures of fans
Xuan Fan
The "Fire" Fan
Bamboo Fan
Brocade Silk Fan
Feather Fan
Cattail Leaf Fan
Sandalwood Fan
Silk Fan
Research of the back stories of Myths
Every Chinese Myths has a story, it usually eulogize some beautiful personality, or punish those bad people. About my project, rather than focus on the strange creatures, I should concentrate at the story itself, and the personality show out in the story.
I choose the story of nine-colored deer. This story was record on the fresco, by ancient Chinese people. This story separates to 8 parts. The nine-colored deer save the drowning man; Ask this man to keep a secret; Queen wants the fur of the deer; The drowning man was tempted by large sum of money; Plenty of people hunt the deer; The nine-colored deer has been told but already late; Tearful nine-colored deer touched King; The drowning man receive the punishment. The most important part is the tearful deer, it told the whole story ruefully.Because the nine-colored deer is faithful, true, loving, kind, just and honest. These are the spirits the story wants to show. It save people and just wants to live secretly. And the drowning man means betray, hateful and selfish. This kind of people should receive the punishments.
I knew this story because the animation, this animation was transformed by the fresco. Ancient people record it and let me feel, is the nine-colored deer real? It looked so lively with white fur and some bright color around.
The most important part is the tearful deer, and this part placed at the centre of whole fresco. Different from other wall painting, the nine-colored deer placed the strongest part in the centre and then move to two sides to find the other parts of this story. Although the nine-colored deer has "nine color", ancient people use white as the main color, it means pure. And they use ocher, mineral green and other kinds of color to stippling. As a whole, the white fur of nine-colored deer has strong contrast with the black horse of King, really shock the viewers.
I choose the story of nine-colored deer. This story was record on the fresco, by ancient Chinese people. This deer is faithful, pure, loving, kind, just and honest.
The nine-colored deer is kind to help others, it saved a drowning man. And the only thing it wants, is keep secret. But the queen dreamed about the fur of this deer, because that is valuable and gorgeous.
The king gathered plenty of people to hunt the deer, just because the drowning man was tempted by money and told them the deer's location. The nine-colored deer has special power so it can't be hurt by any weapon.
The drowning man was afraid and flustered, he became strange and then fell in the lake. He is selfish and ungratefulness, finally receive the punishment.
The deer retell the story to the king, and all of people moved. They shock by the kind and power of the deer.
Research of headwear
( Alexander McQueen 2006 ) This headwear use an element of deer horn. It's quite similar as the image of Mountain God ( in Chinese Myths ).
( Shi Chan illustration design )
These are the illustration design of myths, she use many different elements in Chinese Myths, like horns, the phoenix feather. Also the patterns and colors are amazing. I inspired from her works, about how to combine different elements together.
These are the works of a Japanese illustrator, similar as Shi Chan, those creatures are strange and they have some elements in myths. Those patterns and texture can let me think about the structure and the materials about my final outcome.
Research of Mermaid
There is a mythical creature in ancient Chinese mythology, similar to Mermaid. This creature has some characteristics. Their tears will become valuable pearl. And they can produce kind of voile, won’t get wet in water. Is quite miracle and incredible.
Also the other countries have some legend about similar creatures. In western, a story is about Siren. She is seductive, and she has attractive singing voice. Ships will get out of control and hit against the rock. And in some ancient paintings, Siren usually has two tails.
In Japanese folklore, there is also a kind of monster similar to mermaid, called “ Ji Ji ”. Her lower body was shaped like a fish, much like the mermaid. But her face was very different, her mouth was split to her ears, and she had sharp teeth. And she had two antlers on her head. Looks horrible and scared, also very ferocity.
Some most distinctive things about this creature is beautiful ears, cheek, tails and their flakes.
I’ve researched about some structure of their ears.
Also, they have absolute balance under the sea. So their hearts are in the centre of their chest. Maybe this trait can be a special starting point to explore.
Research of Fan
Fan is a part of Chinese tradition. And also a part of bamboo culture. This thing usually use as induce air, and it can be weapon in ancient China.
We use plenty of different materials to make fans. The most common is bamboo, wood and paper. Hawksbill and feather can also use to make fans.
In ancient China, fans are symbols of power. It shows the status and privilege.
As the time flows, fan has more different shape and ways to use. Open or close it, adorn it can show your characteristics, or communicate the emotions between each others.Fans also have bag, pendant or box, to protect or decorate.
Research of Umbrella
China umbrella is quite different, it made by bamboo and oiled paper. After placed some China wood oil, the paper can become waterproof.
In ancient China, umbrella can ward off bad luck. Because the shape, it also means completeness.Same as fan, umbrella can be use as weapon. In a movie <Shadow>, “Pei umbrella” can avoid the damage of hacking knife. Sometimes umbrella can help for Qing Kung. For nowadays, kind of Chinese Kong Fu is “Hung Gar Weapon Form”, this group of people use umbrella as weapon, to attack or defense.