Danse Macabre

 Tuesday, July 29 9 - 4:30 $145  
  Michael deMeng      


Student Level:All
Type of Workshop: Process and Project
Prerequisite: None

 
     

    Every year I visit Mexico during Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Not only is this a marvelous event where relatives celebrate the memories of the deceased, but it is also a chance for the living to mock the reaper. It’s a way for the living to say: “Neener, neener you haven’t got me yet”. One of the ways that Mexicans do this is with little skeletal toys known as “calacas”. Usually they are playful scenes where the skeletons are in the engaged in everyday activities, riding bicycles, walking dogs, dancing with devils (okay, so this one is perhaps not an everyday activity). The idea is to have a little fun with ones morality. Well, that is what we’ll be doing in class. Using doll parts, action figures, and other found objects student will create little skeletons that will tickle your funny bone.

    Students should bring:
  • Aves Apoxie Clay ¼ lbs or more (contact avesstudio.com if you have any problem locating this product. They sell direct or will tell you about local suppliers)
  • Variety of other found objects. Items like watch parts, gears, typewriter parts….just about anything, really. Look for things that are interesting shapes or designs, but also things that might have symbolic significance.
  • Old figurines or doll parts - wedding cake figurines are lots of fun to change.
  • Some sort of base to mount your figures on. This could be a block of wood or little shrine or a box.
  • Paint Brushes (a couple small detail brushes, and some cheap brushes (1/2 inch to 1 inch in size)
  • Wire a couple of different gauges
  • DAP KWIK SEAL Tub & Tile Adhesive Caulk (White) – small tube (this can be found in hardware stores).
  • Paints: Acrylic (Golden brand -preferably fluids – the tubes and jars will work too, the colors are the key)
    • Quinacridone Nickel Azo Gold
    • TitaniumWhite
    • Carbon or Mars Black
    • Dyke Brown
    • Pthalo Blue
    • Brown Iron Oxide

    Optional Paints
    • Nickel Azo Yellow
    • Azurite Hue
    • Quinacridone Magenta
    • Permanent Violet
  • E6000 adhesive

  • Optional Things to bring
    • Heat gun
    • Dremel with cut off wheel and engraving bit

Place an advance order for your supplies & tools and pick it up when you arrive at AU:
Mixed Media: The Occasional Artist - Email your order to: theoccasionalartist@cox.net or call 623-847-2215
Jewelry: The Urban Beader - Order at theurbanbeader.com, then send email to sales@theurbanbeader.com stating that this is a pre-order for Art Unraveled. Once the email is received the shipping will be reimbursed.

Questions? Email Michael at assemblage@michaeldemeng.com
Website: michaeldemeng.com