anna mcalister bearhug 2010
ABSTRACT Bearhug is inspired by my affection for the music of the band Animal Collective.I find myself visualising stories,ideas and shapes whilst listening to their music,something that only occurs whilst listening to this particular band. Their . music is so vast in rhythm and sound;it pushes any traditional musical structure by layering a multitude of sounds on top of each other.I wanted to translate and make tangible their musical layering and sound environment into clothing. I studied the metaphoric associations and research into Synaesthesia; a neurological condition that causes the brain to automatically cross sensory paths resulting in a crossover of two or more senses. Audio-visual Synaesthesia is when a synaesthete experiences music and sound in colour and or form.True Synaesthesia is hard to fake, but I wanted to see how far I could push my imagination and creativity, as a nonsynaesthete to imitate or mimic synaesthetic abilities. To do this I have almost constantly surrounded myself with visual imagery of Animal Collective as well as immersing myself in their entire discography. I designed garments and shapes directly from the music, concentrating on the different layers and structures. The collection acts as a research mode for myself, to push the boundaries of my own design and to utilize the multi-sensory associations the viewer could potentially see in my collection. Because the interpretation of the music is from my very own perspective it is therefore subjective and personal. I used this project as a test to see if creativity could really imitate a Neurological phenomenon that only affects 1% of the population.
“The sound of a smile� Animal Collective music transformed into fashion through the mode of audiovisual Synaesthesia.
Visual Inspiration “Brother Sport�music video Animal Collective Album: Merriweather Post Pavilion 2009 The video imagery inspired the textile prints of the collection
Print Development music visualisers as literal images of sound. Screenshots of select Animal Collective songs.
Print Development I collaborated with textile designer - Laura Newton-King to create textile prints that embodied the Animal Collective aesthetic,Laura based the prints on the imagery and environment of the Brother Sport music video. Initial Print - the colours weren’t quite right.
I loved the paint blotches and the colour scheme of this tile,but suggested she add more yellow to make it pop.
Final textile print designs
Design Development Processes Drawing my interpretation of the music directly onto pattern paper, tracing off onto fabric and draping the shapes on to the body.
Essplode Jacket & Peacebone Shorts
Alvin Row Leotard & Banshee Beat Skirt
Leaf HouseTop & Water Curses Skirt
Lablakely Dress
Concept Photo-Shoot
anna mcalister 2010