For the 2nd stage of the Newstead LIVE: Alice in Wonderland project, we explored design and field research + found object collection simultaneously. Whilst Grace and Laini developed hat-making concepts, Erin and I began to develop the more vintage-leaning aesthetic of the project through charity shop sourcing.
Stage One: Charity Sourcing
Each group gratefully received a budget of £50 for their respective projects, which we decided to use for the sourcing of our 'found objects'.
We explored and purchased from the following charity shops within Nottingham:
- Oxfam
- British Heart Foundation
- Sue Ryder
- White Rose
- My Sight
- Emmanuel House Charity Shop (at which we were given advice on possible auctions at the weekends for future projects)
This approach of incorporating found objects and model-making means that the Mad Hatter's Workshop installation will appear more put-together and placed within an older timeframe if the group does not have time to weather objects or fully construct elements such as ceramics.
This also allows for a more sustainable approach to sourcing materials, compared to purchasing everything new from a high-street store such as H&M.
The only high-street store visited during this field-sourcing journey was Primark in order to buy two sets of fairy lights: One shaped like roses, fitting with the Alice in Wonderland theme and ensuring fake flowers do not need to be budgeted in, and a series of plain fairy lights. These will be battery operated and I believe due to their electronic elements were safer and more durable for a child-wary installation than buying lights second-hand.
Stage Two: Departmental Sourcing
Following this stage and a day after the charity-shop sourcing, it was decided that sourcing elements within the Nottingham Trent University art departments would not only be a cost-efficient method of acquiring objects, but also of making connections in the industry.
We were able to source from:
- Costume
-> Hats (With thanks to Sharon Bainbridge)
-> Various fabrics, buttons, feathers (For the creation of hats and the sprawling of millinery decor across the room)
-> Two pairs of shoes (male and female) for placement against the fireplace
- Hat stands and a male foam mannequin head
- Fashion
-> One full-sized mannequin torso (with added hat-hook)
Many thanks to the above departments for their help in acquiring these objects.
Kerry Bradley stated the possibility of bringing in a vintage Singer sewing machine alongside a wooden hat + umbrella stand. If acquired, these would be added to the installation.
Stage Three: Potential future resources
Though we were either unable to contact staff or we did not have a high enough budget for the following locations, they are suitable for future found-object prop-sourcing and will undoubtedly be vital resources for inspiration regardless.
- Hopkinson (Vintage Store, near to the Nottingham Train Station)
- Theatre Royal
- Auction Houses and Car Boot Sales (Many thanks to the employees of the Emmanuel House Charity Shop for providing information on the Cattle market/Arthur Johnson & Son Auction House)
To Do:
In the third and final stage of the Newstead: LIVE project, last-minute item purchases will be accounted for, and compositions will be drafted through a compilation of assemblages and concept art.
* = Vital
No * = Not vital
*- Explore, screenshot and measure images of the Newstead Abbey ground-floor piano room using the 3d Virtual Tour found online
- Create concept art of the finalised composition
- Potentially complete a small sketchup model of the room with added set dec components
*- Finish hat models
*- Photograph assemblages on a covered surface
- Stain the purchased lace cover with coffee for a vintage look
*- Source teacups for the installation
*- Source/create fabric rolls
*- Source/create fabric rolls box
- Create Mad Hatter 'Make-your-own Hat' colouring/craft pages
*- 'Toddler-proof' compositions
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