PROJ – Das Kraftwerkkleid
This is another of those projects that hibernate in the deep recesses of my brain for a very, very long time and always wanted to do but never got around to it until an urgent time strikes. That time striked on April when I accidentally found out that Kraftwerk was playing in Milwaukee in April 2008. And it was only 1 out of 3 measly American dates. Alas I also found out only about a week and half ahead of time for me to get something together for the show. It’s a work always in progress and hopefully it will reach its apex of satisfaction. For now it is in Version 0 mode but it’s coming along.
The idea is to create a dress or clothing that will resemble Kraftwerk’s signature wireframe outfit.
The obvious method would be to use glow in the dark paint. But that would be too easy and standard. I wanted something special. And what would be more appropriate than something that lights up that reacts to the music at the show. So I used electroluminescent wire with a sound reactive driver. Did many tests as to what fabrics to use and how to lay it out. Played with the wire’s durability for bending.
It was challenging, and frustrating. Towards the deadline of heading towards the show I was still assembling it. Realized that I was trying to accomplish something in a week’s time that would probably entail a month. So instead of a dress, I settled for a top. But I still have the remaining parts, waiting to be assembled.
