Module 6: Functional Art- Adornment Anna P 2021

IA2 Functional Adornment

Target market and concept Five pieces of jewelry have been thoughtfully designed and made with the intention of being marketed to a specific demographic.

Through thoughtful manipulation of shape and careful consideration of themes, these series of works specifically aim to reflect the iconic symbolism represented in Hajime Isayama’s powerful series ‘Attack on Titan’ (A.O.T) and are henceforth marketed to fans of this small corner of pop-culture. With the show’s mature portrayal of themes such as the narrative relevant politics, worldview, oppression, betrayal, revenge and comradery, Isayama’s work has attracted the attention of a demographic consisting of peoples ranging from late teens to young adulthood.

Throughout the works, I have aimed to consistently convey simplistic aestheticism whilst still effectively exemplifying decerning and sophisticated techniques of metal work such as the manipulation of flat metals, filing to achieve texture and application of bearings.

Object 1; Sword Earrings This first adornment is meant to replicate and represent the iconic materialism within the AOT franchise. This was done by recontextualising the reference material into a pair of carefully considered earrings.

Exemplifying decerning use of metal work techniques, such as, manipulation of flat metals, filing, and application of bearings allowed for a sophisticated product which can be effectively marketed to the desired demographic.

Obiect 1 process; Sword Earring Step 1; The Sketch -

Relevance to referenced media and target audience:

The initia l sketch consisted of three parts in which aimed to replicate the generalised shape of a sword - the first two pieces of bronze cooper was meant to replicate the hilt while the sliver metal was shaped like that of the sword's blade.

The sword in which the jewellery piece is based upon are called 'blades' rather then swords due to their unique ability to switch like a razorb lade - hence the official design.

These weapons have been used consistent ly throughout the series. Predominantly used against the protagonists main oppressive narrative threat - titans.

Step 3; Polishing -

Step 2; Metal Cutting -

The use of the m et al cutters were crucial in achieving the desired shapes used in the composition. The first piece of met al that was cut was the aluminium, this served as a reference point in then cutting out the dimensions of the copper hilt - however, this was a modification in technique after a numerous failed att em pt s.

Previous attempts left the earrings with skewed/offsetting proport ions.

In the workshop, avenues of presentation were explored. One of which being polishing. The process of po lishing strips back the layers of grime accumulat ed on the surface of the met al, revealing the metals' original colour .

The aluminium when polished was smoothed out to a shiny surface with n o blemishes - however, with the bronze, the colour almost changed entire ly. What was once rustic and metallic in colour, was now a striking rose gold. Whist the colours were certainly beautiful, the previously mentioned rustic aesthetic was the intended appea l of the product s.

the unique design of the blade make them a strong identifier within the show. Therefore their strong relevant within and outside of the Attack on Titian universe makes them a appropriate piece of imagery to market to the desired demographic.

Object 2; Sword Earrings #2 This second adornment is meant to replicate and represent the iconic materialism within the AOT franchise. This was done by recontextualising the reference material, for a second time, into a pair of carefully considered earrings.

Object 2 process; Sword Earrings #2 Step 1; Sketch -

This sketch was int ended to be a second interpretation of first set of earrings. As in slight adjustment in shapes whilst still maintaining the ability to be easily recognisable as a sword.

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The first adjustment was to make the adornment entirely out of aluminium.

Step 2; metal, bearings & findings -

The diversity in colour was planned to be executed t hough the use of gold bearings - so while the main bodies of the earring would be sliver, the bearings would add to the visual enhancement through the implementation of coloured bearings and findings.

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Step 3; Workshop Techniques -

The most prominent display of technique implemented the second pair of sword earrings was the process of applying texture to the 'hilt' o f the sword. The process of adding texture was done though the carefu l use of a texture hammer - as illust rat ed in the image above.

This process was implemented to al low for the easy identification of different iat ing parts of the sword - apart from the gold bearings which separate them.

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Object 3; Pendent Earrings This third adornment is meant to represent the key belonging to the main protagonist, Eren. This was done by adhering to the basic principles of shape and form identification.

A multitude of metal work techniques were implemented in the process of producing a discerning replication of the source material.

Object 3 process; Pendent Earrings Step 1 – sketch/design:

The original sketch was comprised of a composition of shapes that aimed to replicate the hilt of a key – more specifically, the key belonging to the main protagonist, Eren.

The main body of the earring was intentionally main to be that of a different coloured metal than the copper circles. The reason being to add an assortment of varying metallic colours as this would place emphasis on the earthy and metallic colour scheme present throughout the series.

Step 2 – Techniques; gluing The process of gluing was crucial in creating an effective composition of shapes. Either the bronze pieces could be glued to the main body, or bearings could’ve been applied.

However, not only was the gluing furthering the range of applied techniques, the bronze circles were too small in size to use the drilling machine on.

Step 2.5 – Techniques; disk cutting Disk cutting was utilised to create the circles that were glued to the main earring body. The process allowed for each circle to remain consistent in shape and size – vital in creating a visually sound piece of jewellery as well as remaining loyal to the reference from the original media.

Design Changes: Originally, the finding choice was a circular hoop.

However, after some consideration towards the original reference material, it was decided to shift to a bearing which better reflected the composition of a key.

Object 4; Necklace This fourth adornment is an explicit reference to the main themes exemplified within Attack on Titan – militarism and comradery. This was done by quoting, and henceforth reiterating the themes through, the memorable phrase, “Devote your hearts.”

A myriad of metal work techniques were implemented in the process of producing a discerning replication of the source material.

Object 4 process; Necklace Step 1 - Sketch;

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Step 2 - Workshop Techniques;

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The inspiration for the original sketch was a quote taken from what could be argued as one of the most memorable moments of the series to stand .

The choice of illust rating the quote as a necklace was both a matter of reasonable visibility, as w ell as a means to adhere to the themes portrayed within the show. The quote, 'devote your hearts' was spoken as a means of rallying military troops to dedicate themselves to the bitter end. The necklace was meant to replicate that of a dog tag - often associated with the military.

The technique of stamping was completely unique to this piece of jewellery as it was not applied to any ot her. This process invo lved stamping the word starting from the middle letters, then working out - this was done in order to maintain correct spacing between letters.

The process of drilling was used to make a point of connect between the necklace tag and the chain. To prepare for the dri lling, two points were marked using a hammer - this ensured proper placement of the holes when it came to dri lling.

By getting a dri ll bit and gently t wir ling it around the drilled hole, the bevelled edges become smooth - hence al low ing for a seamless and consistent texture throughout the metal piece. This process was applied to both of the drill points on the necklace.

Step 3 - Purposeful engineering of object;

In order for the adornment to become more flexible in style, the lengt h of the chain was considered, as this was the only aspect of the jew ellery that could be altered simp ly.

The chain was engineered for the purpose of being able to wrap around a person's neck t wice. As depicted in the images above, this allows for a multitude of wearable styles.

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Object 5; Flower Ring This fifth and final adornment a reference to one of the most implicit re-occurring pieces of symbolism – the Campanula flower; representative of humility, gratitude and everlasting love.

A myriad of metal work techniques were implemented in the process of producing a discerning replication of the source material.

Object_5 process; Flower Ring Step 2;Techniques -

Compared to the other jewellery pieces, this ring was far more simp listic. It used a narrow spectrum of techniques; those being, cutting, filing and gluing all of which have been exemplified in past adorn ment s.

Step 1; Sketch The inspiration of this piece was the Campanu la flowers. These flowers despite symbolising humi lit y, gratitude and everlasting love, are a re-occurring symbol present at significant and heart fu l death scenes within the Attack On Tit ian series. Despite what they are meant to typically represent, they are primarily used to foreshadow t ragedy.

Ste p -; Metal Manipulation -

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1./!-'I';} The first step was to sketch ·••1•!•:,•;-' and cut out the shapes used for t he f low er. This ,......"t:'1'• - -""" was by far the most tedious aspect of t he . _ _,_-.:;;..._";;':.. process and assistants was The pieces were then required in order to arranged accordingly and complete t his. glued together using the The edges were then filed glue illustrated above. down to create a The ring was left to dry and smoothed edge. set for over a d a y - nothing could be added to the piece ----.---- - - - - - at this time.

In order to expand upon the range of techniques as well as add an addit iona l layer of com plexit y to the piece, the technique of metal manipulation was implemented as to replicate the organic style of leaves or vines - as to add to the pre-existing visual theme of flora.

This was done by wrapping wire around the middle section of a toothpick repeatedly, then curling the wire into a spiral of organica lly shaped loops, and finally, gluing it to the back of the ring and curling the rest around to the front as a type of aesthetic accent.

Reflection on the unit The functional adornments displayed in this unit of work were made with the intended target demographic in mind. For this project, the adornments were marketed to fans of Isayama’s series ‘Attack on Titan’. Through thoughtful manipulation of shape and careful consideration of themes, these series of adornments effectively reflects the iconic symbolism represented in Hajime Isayama’s series ‘Attack on Titan’.

Throughout the works, I have consistently conveyed the intended aestheticism whilst effectively exemplifying decerning and sophisticated use of metal work using techniques learnt in workshop sessions, such as, manipulation of flat metals, filing to achieve texture, application of bearings, stamping, drilling, and more.