Glass Experimentation

Since I have settled on the collaberation of two different ideas to represent conformity, I now need to think about how to create the braille dominoes and which subject matter will be best suited.

Within my sketchbook, i have created small experiments using plywood but since then, i have touched upon glass experiments and continued this experimentation outwith the confinements of my sketchbook. I investigated the conceptual relations with clear, white and black glass in a variety of sizes which steadily increased in size as development continued.

 

I want to portray a different side to the braille as so far the braille aspect has been prominent within the dominoes but with glass I wanted to capture texture in reflection to the short story, conformity is never mentioned or questioned but it is felt. The emperor and his associates cast a blind eye over what they know to be true and at the end of the story, the entire city follows the idea that the suit exists. By exploring braille more texturally rather than quite so prominently, it will allow me to discover whether this is an aspect I wish to take further and tone down the obviousness of the braille and make it less apparent.

The glass could also represent the vulnerability of the emperor, and how easily he was lulled into a false sense of security just by believing the words of the swindlers. Glass is also transparent, which could suggest that by using it to display conformity, illustrates the lack of substance we have when we all share the same opinions out of fear of being shunned.

 

Experimentation of Black Glass with Clear Powder

 

Experimentation with White Glass and Black Frit

 

 

 

Experimentation with Clear Glass and Black Frit

 

 

Evaluation of Glass Experimentation

Initially, I began by reflecting on the original aesthetics of a domino then focused on the inlaid pips and redeveloped them into braille to portray the message of conform. This fits in with the brief of the Emperor’s New Clothes as this overshadows the emperor in deciding to allow others to judge his new suit before him, to ensure it met the standards of others. The use of glass represents the fragility and vulnerability of the emperor and how easily he was lulled into a false sense of security just by believing the words of the swindlers. The transparency of the glass also suggests that by using it to display conformity illustrates the lack of substance we have when we all share the same values and opinions. Again, the lack of substance therefore reiterates the loss of identity as the braille dots are the focal point and create a contrast as individuality becomes lost due to the influence of conformity.

I firstly began by experimenting with black coloured glass to explore another side to the glass we experience in our day to day lives and as we are used to seeing glass as a transparent material, which relates to the emperor depicting power but in reality, he relies on the opinions of others. Although he may appear to be different from the rest of the town due to his powerful stance, we are all the same and often relate to others opinions before forming out own which then relates to the imitation effect of conformity. This then further relates to conformity in the way that we are manipulated into thinking a certain way due to the unwritten rules of society that are enforced upon us, much like the idea portrayed in my earlier research into Gary Deirmenjian#s work ‘Do Not’. The colour black also shows the ruthless reality of conformity by its dark and harsh appearance and portrays the idea of society being condemned to conformity.

After exploring black glass, it felt right to explore white glass as this happens to be t two main colours that dominos come in. As well as this, white signifies perfection as I’ve mentioned previously in other experimentation exploring white, as it is unspoiled and pure, which relates to the attitude of the government as they strive to achieve a mould for society. It also once again illustrates a lack of identity which also happens as a result of conformity. In relation to the textural aspect of the glass dominoes, I explored glass powder which failed to create the distinct braille effect and therefore I began to experiment with frit on bullseye glass which seemed to work better to achieve texture and heighten our senses. Although the frit looked better textually, the circles became extremely flat and this was due to the bullseye glass absorbing the frit more than an ordinary panel of glass normally would which results in a deeper fusion.

Bearing this in mind, I then finally decided to explore plain glass alongside the frit as I felt the frit created a better texture than the powder and felt that the transparent glass illustrates that by conforming to believe in something which was non existent, the emperor’s intuitions were ignored and consequently, resulted in him losing sight of his own identity and falling to majority influence which resulted in him demonstrating his vulnerability. I also felt that the transparency of the glass would heighten the braille infusion, allowing the instruction to create a deeper impact by illustrating that by conforming, identity is lost and all that remains is a shell of an ‘invisible suit.

All in all, I explored a range of sizes which developed from small to slightly larger in scale as well as a range of colours and techniques but felt that the braille and domino effect can’t be seen as easily as it may do with other materials which therefore requires further experimentation into materials. I feel as if I have thoroughly explored glass enough to decide to not carry it on any further in my development as it lacks conceptual relevance and therefore lacks enough connection for it to have enough potential to progress with. From this experimentation, I have also realised that I want to explore the braille side of things more exclusively and focus on the relation that the material has towards the concept as well as work larger in scale to create a stronger impact, displaying the effects of conformity on society