It's not all lab coats and test tubes you know, get some students involved, push the beer, pizza and all night working to one side, add some fashion, a creative crazy, some science text books, a bit of the ole London Town....mix well and allow to simmer for a few hours and poooff - you have the collaboration which is Carli-Art and Science Studies.
So I will stop talking shite and get on with what I am here for! The most recent fashion shoot as you may well know is a brief that I was set by some science students who had to create a arty fart project to try and communicate science to the lesser souls. Well to be honest at the time I didn't really get it and after working together and creating some awesome imagery I thought it only proper like that I learnt a little bit more. Plus let you guys know what it was all about and maybe make you look at the images a little differently. So.......here is the interview with the ladies from Imperial College. Enjoy........
Ladies, me photographer, you scientists.....interesting combination there. So tell us more about the project and brief you needed to complete?
Yeah, there's an interesting combination of minds here, eh?!
Basically, we're on a masters course in Science Communication to learn how the media works, and how it can be used to get the general public engaged in science.
For this particular project, we had to produce a creative product which reflects on concepts covered in the course. From the beginning, our group wanted to produce something which looked beautiful and professional - and clothes seemed the perfect idea.
After a lot of brainstorming, we designed three outfits representing science in the media. The lab coat customised as a military jacket represents the authority of science. The footy shirt shows the importance of science 'branding'. Our final outfit was a science communication evening dress.
Have you always been creative, I would consider this to be quite a creative way of illustrating science theories?
Louise: Hmm... To be honest, I was probably the least creative out of our team!! None of us had designed clothes before, so it was going to be an ambitious challenge. Not only that, our sewing skills could be much better! But together we generated some wicked ideas and designed three amazing outfits. With the help of London's fabulous range of charity shops, we opted to customize bargains rather than make items from scratch. Luckily, my eye for detail added the finishing touches which helped complete the overall look of the shoot. Despite the shoddy sewing, the pictures still look fantastic and create an extra layer of meaning to the clothes. And all that was down to Carli – cheers hun!!
Jess: think there’s an idea of being ‘creative’ like being ‘scientific’ it’s all pretty relative. The great thing about fashion is people are creative with it everyday by just putting on an outfit. But yes we knew we had to keep things simple as none of us had the skills to really produce a tailored garment. And, for sure, the clothes look much more impressive in the shoot than in real life!
How are you presenting the final images and how does this go towards your course? Are you encouraged to dabble in all kinds of media such as music, video etc......can we safely assume it is not all test tubes and text books?
So, to present everything, we've decided to run the images alongside a satirical fashion magazine article headlined 'ABC guide to selling science'.
How are you presenting the final images and how does this go towards your course? Are you encouraged to dabble in all kinds of media such as music, video etc......can we safely assume it is not all test tubes and text books?
So, to present everything, we've decided to run the images alongside a satirical fashion magazine article headlined 'ABC guide to selling science'.
A is for 'Authority' image depicts the power, authority and respect that science generates. Any military uniform instantly denotes power and respect for the individual wearing it, and scientists in the image saluting the professor reinforces this authority.
In the B is for 'Branding' set, the images show that science is constantly being used as a brand by advertisers and Government to add value to products.
C is for 'Communication' shows the classic LBD decorated with flowers made from science magazines, various newspapers and tin foil. The corsage moves down the dress to evoke the idea that a journal article as the small beginning of news stories that grow and grow. In May, everything will be displayed at an exhibition in Imperial College, South Kensington alongside our colleagues' work. There's going to be some interesting stuff there, so pop along!
Quick Fire round to see how much you know about science, fashion and household condiments (i like food!).....
Oh no... Here goes...!! I'm going to try and not use Google...
What's the only letter that doesn't appear on the periodic table?
Lou :After a lot of thinking... J?!
Jess: ummm think I agree J – although can’t help thinking there’s one called Jeranium – but that’s a flower…
A shrimp's heart is in its head, true or false?
TRUE!!! (That was a pub quiz question last week)
Who invented the telephone? (well science and communication kinda!)
Lou: Alexander Bell
Jess: his middle name is Graham
Marmite, lover or hater?
Louise: HATER!!
Jess: LOVER = have it everyday. My blood is black.
Which country uses more mustard than any other in the world?
Louise: I'm torn between two: US (all those burgers and hot dogs) or India (lovely curries). Hmmm, I'm with the Yanks.
Jess: hmmm prob USA BUT think colman’s is definitely the best quality.
When was the first Bra patented?
Lou: 1920?!
Jess : Hmmm think it was post war. 1951…
What percentage of American women do you think have kept a pair of jeans that are too small for them, in the belief that one day, yes one day they will fit into them? 15% - 33% - 57%
Lou: I'm going with 57% as all the ladies in my house have at least two small pairs of jeans in their wardrobes!
Jess: me too – good call Lou. The holy grail of the skinny jeans you’ll fit into one day.
Well I have to say that was a smash and grab interview and I loved doing it, these lovelies are indeed Science fabulous. Oh.....tune in next week for the correct answers!!
