Cascade
A Custom Body Sculpture Piece
by
Victoria Edgar
Winner
of
The Australian and South Pacific Award for Creative Excellence at World of Wearable Art in New Zealand
2016
It all Begins…
It started with a drawing early January 2016 inspired by my daughter Scarlett who came up with the idea of entering a piece in WOW – World of Wearable Art – an international design competition held in Wellington New Zealand every year to showcase world class makers and designers of art that can be worn on the human body.
The sculptural full metal dress I created over 6 months “Cascade” won the Australia and South Pacific design award for excellence at the astounding visual assault on the senses that is WOW 2016 and this is a pictorial essay of our journey together.
This delicate bodice fabricated from 925 sterling silver wire and brass with a smattering of moonstones and pearls is the first stage in creating the full metal dress Cascade – the challenge is to balance fragile filigree with the strength to be able to hold the 3 layers of metal leaves that will make up the skirt.
STAGE 1
Next to create a girdle reinforced with thicker gauge brass wire before I start to solder the hundreds of different sized brass and silver leaves to give the dress a ‘bustle’ which if successful will give the skirt movement when worn.
STAGE 2
The first layer of the skirt is complete after several months of working through each issue as it arose – I have made twice as many leaves to give it volume.
STAGE 3
The beginnings of the skirt with the first layer of leaves.
STAGE 4
Second layer is made from handfuls of copper and silver leaves to give the dress warmth and a contrast to the silver and golden hues.
STAGE 5
At last complete with the final layer soldered with row upon row of pearl and glass drops – the concept is to create a shimmering sense of movement when the dress is worn - now to photograph and submit to WOW and if accepted to crate off to Nelson in New Zealand.
STAGE 6
OPENING NIGHT
We arrive in New Zealand and enjoy meeting fellow artists at various events/talks including a WETA workshop where we saw how makeup artists applied ears and noses to dwarves and elves in The Lord of the Rings movies. The 133 International WOW artists from all over the world gathered in front of the TSB building in Wellington for the 3 week nightly performance with 56,000 pre-sold tickets to a world wide audience – tonight is the first performance and the Awards night
Surrounded by loved ones we are absolutely stunned at the event that is the World of Wearable Art – even those who had seen many international shows agreed that it was indeed an absolute assault on all the senses – the size and intensity of the elaborate sets and amazing performers some from Circus Solei only amplified the delight when Cascade performed with all her shimmering metal and flashes of glass and pearls – it took my breath away and to be called up on stage in front of a sea of faces to accept the Australia and South Pacific Award for design excellence is etched into my memory
SHOWTIME
Surrounded by her beloved daughters Scarlett and Georgia Rose just before we go to the after show party – we are all elated.
CELEBRATION
Travelled to Nelson with partner Andrew DeOleveira to visit the WOW – World of Wearable Art Museum - where “Cascade” will be on display.
WOW Museum
Notified that Cascade has been selected as part of the permanent collection for the WOW Museum of Wearable Art in Nelson – I feel like the journey with Cascade is now complete and I look forward to seeing her again.