So I'm in Belgium...

Suddenly i'm in Belgium !... Well the opportunity was mentioned by our technician at uni with an application for a completely free experience to go to Belgium and do a skills tour. Run by CrysaLis (the same organisation run in Calais who created the exhibition of Iris Van Herpen, the Skills tour is a 5 day workshop experience new textiles techniques including lazer cutting, Silk screen printing, weaving, electronic fabrics, heat press and more! The whole journey completely free (food, accommodation and travel) all they would like in return is a report about the experience hence why i'm writing up about my journey here :) 

Day 1:

I am so very lucky to have been given this opportunity as it definitely does not get given out every day. It all very exciting so far, the B&B couldn't be more lovely, my own room with an bathroom and breakfast made for me ready in the morning (could definitely get used to this!). Got up and ready for the introduction for 10am and met the other students. A mixture from Plymouth, Farnham and Belgium. the first exercise was all about the body and movement. We were asked to all be in one large room and simply be free with our own body and get to know it using all movements that feel natural. We experimented with also musical movements weight interaction and space to interact with other people but also to be aware of our own feelings. From their we then had to come up with a movement of a particular part of the body and then go outside or around the studio and fine objects to make a relating form for that particular body movement. Anthea created a movement which originated from the finger tips and wrist moving and so created this which i have cleverly modelled for her:

i on the other hand created this in relation to the structure of the head, upper arm, elbow movement and lower arm (sticks i think were the best thing i could find in half an hour) and then a load of elastic to demonstrate the constriction of the arm movement and also interpreting a firm locking motion. 

                                           

It's all quite interesting how our teacher has a history of dance and brings movement into her designs. Later on we will be thinking about everyday movements and then interpreting those into designs and will then start the making part of the course!