Plan, Proposal, Practice! This project has required multiple steps to get to the point it is at now, a plan and proposal was created to outline and document the relevant steps required in completing the Final Major Project, in developing this plan, the question of ‘’What is the link between nature and religion in modern society?’’ was explored, these blogs were written as part of this plan, and the reasoning for this dissertation choice was described. The question topic was to be covered in a theoretical manner, as well as in the inspiration for the design of the final practical media make up piece. It was essential that research was compiled and analysed throughout, key practical skills were used, and all avenues of possible execution of the tasks at hand were thought out, tested and documented before adapting- if required. 

     The project implementation requires some collaboration with fellow students; particularly when it comes to models to apply the practical creations to. Working as a team, may also be required if it is found that application on photoshoot day would take too long to perform one’s own, this in turn would require team management skills, as well as the independent, self- study management ability already required in starting the project and planning.

      At current the practical work is in testing; creating test pieces of prosthetics to create the initial ‘fuzzy spider feet’ which will then be adapted slightly differently depending on each spider type (and how different their legs are between each species).This first test is all about finding the best application of prosthetics to the models’ hands and forearms (and then the legs/feet) that will allow them to support themselves in fairly ‘acrobatic’ poses- the initial test pieces have been cast-as seen in image 1 showing the plaster-moulding of one hand and forearm (Price, 2021)- a cast of each arm and hand was taken and sculpting was performed upon the painted and separator-product-coated plaster pieces, the first sculpt being ‘jumping spider feet’ designed (or so thought to be!) with all of the digits covered and incorporated -see image 2 (Price, 2022), and the other has the thumbs uncovered-but the remaining fingers sculpted into the piece-image 3 (Price, 2022) -the theory is this will allow for more flexibility if required to support themselves when in position and won’t be noticeable once finished and positioned for the photos. These sculpts are yet to be moulded into wearable silicone pieces but are finished in manner of the sculpting process. These pieces will require A LOT of hair punching to achieve optimal ‘fuzziness’ of the spider feet images being worked from as well as the use of flocking on the smoother, short ‘fur’ of the very tips of the ‘toes’. 

    It was found out mid-sculpt however- that the ‘model spider’ thought to be presented as jumping spider feet- was actually that of a pink-toed tarantula- image 4 (Jenn, n.d.). This means that these pieces will be test pieces only- and will not serve accurately as the feet of any of the spiders actually chosen for the designs. The time is not wasted though as they still serve the purpose for the general dynamics of incorporating thumb vs not, and will still lend to hair and fur types being tested for different lengths and thicknesses- being useful for the design spiders that still have ‘hairy legs!’. Further details for each spider are to be researched- such as the full anatomy and detailing of the correct genus’ of each chosen; further blogs throughout the project will detail this fully, here is the general summary and planning out of the looks so far- fighting jumping spider- realistic effect of single spider-made up of 2 human models, one facing the ground-lifting body away from floor using all four limbs (in a squatting, ape-like stance) the other model would then be lain back to back over the first model and pushing limbs out towards, and touching the floor in a ‘crab’ position- the supporting model would help support their weight and make it a less physically stressing position. The back drop of this image would be emulating a fighting spider atop a matchbox-as commonly kept-and fights performed upon-see image 5 (Chenn, 2013) which is an ideal, witty design for such this will either be a painted set, or created digitally with a green screen set up. The next jumping spider design is the Cosmophasis umbratica (Robinson, 2007) that represents the ‘UV lovers’ version of design, this will take the fighting spider prosthetics and overall practical put-together and incorporate an application of UV reactive colouration-most likely ‘invisible in normal light’ paints or pigments will be used, that appear in the UV spectrum only-to cleverly replicate how the spiders are not particularly colourful to each in other the way that humans normally view them-but in their own UV-visible abilities they do have they are shockingly coloured and bright and attractive to each other only in that view. The backdrop planned for this UV lit design will be dark, and include UV painted flowers-particularly roses that represent love. The spider should look fairly realistic when compared to the UV spectrum images of the species, the set design will be reminiscent of a UV roses tattoo or body paint design-alike to image 6 (dIRISstudio, n.d.) but more gathered/bunched up with the spider posed on top and added paper roses strewn about for some 3D interest. Next design set up would be for the Redback spider, this spider will be created on just one model, and will be photographed on a completely white backdrop. The model will be tucked up in a ball, creating the head (with the back of theirs) and abdomen shape of the spider (is their curled/hunched over back), and the limbs will be long and spindly such as the widow-type spider this is. These limbs will be fashioned to attach to each side of the model’s body in the best position for an image displaying the ‘sharp and pointy’, almost spiky kind of look. The limbs are likely to be created from latex and wire to make bendable for poses. The overall look of this design will be achieved via use of glossy, polished latex products (including the body paint on the model) as the desire here is to have shiny, wet look smooth type of spider with it’s red and black design really standing out against the contrast of the white background. Finally, the pirate spider is to utilise one human model in the position as ‘doodled’ over-see image 7 (original source: Murray, 2005) the doodle sketch indicates the very human shaped position of the spider in it’s usual rested position- it just needs extra limbs added to the hip area of each side of the model. The creation of the limbs is not fully planned as yet, but possible to be similar in production to the Redback. This pirate spider design will have long, dark spiny hairs on it’s limbs as displayed in image 7. The set that the images will be composited upon will be a spider web- and the model would use their feet (the spider’s long fore legs) to ‘twang’ the physical web-which will be replicated with some sort of cordage-thus reinforcing the idea of this spider performing it’s infamous trick acting like prey; teasing out another spider for it to prey upon itself.

References

Chenn, B. (2013) [Image 5] The containment unit. [Online]. Available at: https://www.behance.net/gallery/7588021/Fading-Tradition-Fighting-Spiders (Accessed 6th Jan 2022)

dIRISstudio. (n.d.) [Image 6] UV glow roses temporary tattoo transfers. [Online]. Available at: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1043540716/uv-glow-in-the-dark-party-tattoos-rose (Accessed 6th Jan 2022)

Jenn. (n.d.) [Image 4] The leg of a pinktoe tarantula. [Online]. Available at: https://cosmosmagazine.com/science/biology/the-science-of-spider-paws/?amp=1 (Accessed 4th Jan 2022).

Robinson, K. (2007) UV light reveals mating secrets of jumping spiders [Online] Available at: https://www.photonics.com/Articles/UV_light_reveals_mating_secrets_of_jumping_spiders/a39318 [Accessed 11th Nov, 2021]

Price, S. (2021) [Image 1] Casting an arm [Digital Photograph]

Price, S. (2022) [Image 2] All digits included-sculpting [Digital Photograph]

Price, S. (2022) [Image 3] Thumb out sculpt [Digital Photograph]

Price, S. (2022) [Doodle] original source: Murray, T (2005) [Image 7] Mimetidae - Pirate spider - Mimetus puritanus. [Online]. Available at: https://bugguide.net/node/view/12931 (Accessed 6th Jan 2022)