Final Project Progress.

For my final major project, I wanted to focus on the book 'People Watching' written by Desmond Morris. Mainly because I am a nosey parker, and I am always interested in watching people, analysing there behaviour and mannerisms.

I just began reading without really knowing what I might find, in the hope that something would spark off some creative ideas.

I found a really interesting section surrounding what and why we wear the clothes that we do and there was a particular focus on the history of jeans. Morris states that Jeans are responsible for a change in teenage behaviour and refers to the 'flop out period' which is what he says to be a time when youngsters began to sit on the floor rather than on conventional seating. The reason behind this change in behaviour is down to the trousers they were wearing, jeans are a long hardwearing item, so people felt as though they could go ahead and sit on the floor without damaging their clothing.

The first thing I decided to do was create my own sculptures of some of the scenarios mentioned, such as reading from books whilst studying. Youngsters in jeans would feel comfortable reading whilst lying on the floor rather than sitting on chairs.
I have made a 3D cardboard book with a section of text from Morris' book painted on, and have also stuffed a pair of old jeans with newspaper. The jeans will be somehow fixed to the book as though they have fallen in to it whilst reading.

My 3d book. Still awaiting black lines to be painted on the side to look like pages.

Me and my friend Mr Stuffed Jeans.

I then went on to research the history of Levis, of course the most iconic and recognisable designer of jeans. I found a timeline that shows the key moments throughout the companies growth. I decided to pick out the most important symbols and pieces of information and have begun making and finding these things.

Jeans started out as workwear, for those in hard labour; such as builders. They were also worn by cowboys for horse riding, before going on to be used as performance gear by cyclists. Levi Strauss and Jacob davis (A tailor from Reno, Navada) worked together to create the first pair of Blue Jeans named 'XX'. They were made using the trademark rivets, which were responsible for giving the jeans such great strength.

The beginnings of 3D builders tools. The first X for the 'XX' logo.

 Pages from my sketchbook showing some of the key concepts/ symbols.

My next step is to find more pairs of jeans (I am currently asking everyone I know for donations), I am then going to stuff the pairs of jeans and mould them in various positions in order to show some of the different roles they have been used in. I am also thinking about painting on to some of the jeans to perhaps tell the specific story behind them, things like where a tear may have occurred, or what created a stain etc.

I also making as well as looking for props such as tools, and cowboy hats. Just generally gathering all of the elements together so that I can go ahead and put them in to compositions and think about how they will be arranged as an exhibition for the end of year show.