Mirror, mirror

My initial mirror experiment worked relatively well, however it was rushed and this is obvious in the photographs (the lack of straight edges on the mirrors!) After cutting them down to more workable shape, I made a more solid structure which would bounce the pattern infinitely around the space created by the mirrors. Instead of it looking simply like a papered box, the space appears to be limitless- as does the pattern, and scale becomes ambiguous.

Depending on the angles of the mirrors and position of the pattern, the affect achieved can vary. For example if a mirror is placed at right angles on either end of the pattern facing inwards, this creates an illusion of a corridor. If the mirrors are moved to a more obtuse angle then the 'corridor' appears to bend and the pattern has an off-centre vanishing point. The pattern could be placed on the floor/base and then surrounded by mirrors-this creates an expansive carpeted effect.

What really interests me with this experiment is how it is possible to subvert a confined space using mirrors. Similarly to the way we use mirrors in interior decoration, we can make a space appear larger than it actually is. In this experiment, what looks like a box from the outside suddenly changes to appear infinite when looked into. This idea reflects the basis of the wallpaper pattern. The fractal design, when looked at in detail, gives the impression that it could be repeated infinitely and remain looking almost the same.

Fractal Wallpaper- experiment

Fractal patterns are self-similar, this means that if you zoom into a small section of the pattern, it will look similar (if not the same) as its whole. Self-similar patterns occur frequently in nature, especially in horticulture which is my main influense when designing new patterns and wall coverings.

After designing my initial fractal wallpaper, i was interested in looking further at the self-similarity theory. I want to find a way of repeating my pattern in the same way we see fractals behaving in nature. To do this, I think mirrors palced at right angles to the wallpaper will bounce the pattern in a mirror image; the more mirrors I use, the further the pattern spreads. I think using mirrors for this design is the best choice as the pattern itself is quite geometric, so the angles of the mirrors against the wall will compliment this. Also, as my work is based around interior design, the mirrors are inkeeping with the environment in which I see this particular work.

Capillary Action- Further tests

• Machine embroidered pattern in white thread on white fabric
• Hand sewn, hem-stitched pattern in white thread on white fabric
• Time test- dye soaked from top and bottom of white fabric

Although the embroidered tests appeared to work initially, after a period of time the thread began to reject the ink (due to its synthetic coat) and so the pattern revealed was the opposite to what I was expecting. This still looked effective but I was disheartened by the time and effort it took to create such a small test.

As well as this, the overall process is very tedious and I am rapidly losing interest in this particular element of my work. I feel it has become too focussed on the process and has lost sight of the initial idea. My work is based around interior design, decoration and surface pattern. This project was ideally meant to finalise in a wall hanging which 'grew' over time, however after testing the design ideas I realised how time consuming and expensive it would be to reproduce on a large scale; creating a damp environment and watering system suitable for maintaining the 'growth' of the pattern.

With this in mind I have made the decision to put this project to one side and focus more on developing fractal wallpaper patterns to print.

Capillary Action

This is my first capillary action wall hanging test which incorporates the self-similar fractal pattern theory. The idea is to use similar methods as plants and flowers, to make a pattern"grow" on the fabric. Here, the basic branch pattern has been embroidered onto the fabric, however the dye pockets have been stitched into the reverse. The hanging is then rested in water so that it can be absorbed, working up the fabric. When the water hits the dye packets on the reverse the colour begins to dilute and spread like blossoming flowers.
Whilst doing this test there were certain things I noticed which affected the way in which the dye spread across the fabric. For example, the dye (quite obviously) follows the water flow, but it is also affected by the stitch on the fabric. In my next experiments I will see if I can manipulate these obstacles to improve the pattern.