WEEK 3

13. April 2021 - Tuesday

We began the workshop by doodling down our research thus far. I think it's a great way of seeing all the lines of thoughts in one glance and quite a helpful step for the thinking process. I have already done this several times for this project, so it was not all that ground-breaking but at least I got one hour to plan the rest of the day in my head.
I booked the printing studio to continue with the risograph print I started before the holiday. I also started a new one now that I understand the process better (grayscale specifically). I took one of my previous week's ink-->digital colour root squiggles and turned it into green and pink riso layers. I've really enjoyed the risograph process and want to work even more with it!

After lunch, I went to the 3D workshop to see what I can do with my shoe plans.

14. April 2021 - Wednesday

I spent the day in the print studio playing with intaglio printing. I brought some items I found from home and the street such as fruit net, yarn, plastic etc and began experimenting quite spontaneously. Atm all my prints are drying in the workshop, including my risographs, so I will post photos once I get them back.
Like with riso, I find the intaglio quite addictive and want to try more and more things. Now that I understand the process a bit better, that will be easier to do as I can plan ahead.

I started making my first prototype of the shoe by cutting up some scrap wood into shoe-sole shapes. Then I made the root part from wood that I filed down to a softer shape. I attached the root to the sole and made some structures for the roots from screws. It's definitely a process that takes thinking at every turn which is why I wanted to first make a prototype. I think the main challenge will be making them walkable, although I don't intend to go and hike in them. I used to do stilt walking when I trained circus so it's just a matter of making them balanced and getting good non-slip rubber on the bottom of the shoe. Also, a challenge will be making the roots in a way that they're sturdy enough, won't get in the way but also cover the shoes.
I am also thinking of making a heel version of these but that one I'd wanna just do by covering up an existing heel.

Remembering
The horizon is a lot clearer now, says the little cork sailor. Since beginning their sea journey over a month ago, they have found the sea to be a lot calmer than expected. Even the sea monster with its multiple tentacles was actually quite friendly and helped the lost traveller with directions. Unlike on most sea journeys, they were not supposed to be searching for ground, they were meant to look underground where the answers have lied in silence all along. The beginning was the destination.

My topic of roots was actually an idea that had been brewing since last October, although it has not been verbalised as such. I was exploring the shape but the investigation of its meaning came to the picture only once I started this project. I have been doing a lot of reflection on my own relationship with my roots and also rootlessness as someone who has been in constant movement since turning 18. Maybe feeling a little bit sea sick and longing for stability.

Hierarchy
The most important thing I have done for the project so far has been making. Making and trying things out without passing judgment on myself for not immediately creating fantastic final products.
The most disappointing one... Has not yet happened but probably will at some point or maybe it is already in the making.

Finding
I have been looking at roots from all different perspectives, exploring the visual side as well as the meanings behind them. The research has spread out like roots and all my mind-maps are filled with possibilities. the topic of roots is because it leaves a lot of room for experimentation which I have thoroughly enjoyed.


Future
I am now working towards my root shoes, also playing with printing on the side. The next step is to continue with the shoes and let them throw their challenges at me. After this week, I also want to do printing in a more focused way, planning even more before going to the workshop.

On the right is a 2 layer risograph that I created by digitally manipulating my first week's ink spread paintings ---------->
I created several versions with different paper colours.

first riso test - I like the look of it but the typography is not as clear as it ideally would be

Sweet Escape

This was my trial to do the roots with fimo, clearly they were too fragile as with a little bit of twisting they cracked. I will find other ways for the roots. Needs to be sturdier but also more flexible!