Daniel Samson

Interesting little video, relating to mask and identity.

Boris Achour – Conatus: Night of the Dancers

Found via Human Resources

Here is a selection of photos I took while walking around doing research.

I just remembered the photographers Rankin, I really like their work and think that some of it will apply to my project. 

Here is some of the information I gathered by going around a variety of shops and asking questions, taking photos etc. Most places were okay with photos, but not all of them. I shall post that stuff later. 

American Apparel

15-20 Year Olds: 70%

Gender: Mainly Female

What sells: Bright colours, short, tight

Youth grouping: Mixed, but trendy

Size?

 

15-20 Year Olds: 40%

Gender: Mainly Male

What sells: High top Nikes mainly, bold colours

Youth grouping: Mixed, but people who are style conscious

Vans

15-20 Year Olds: 50%

Gender: Mainly Male

What sells: Authentic/Eras shoes and Illustrated T-Shirts sell well (Robert Crumb tshirt is expected to sell out quick)

Youth grouping: Skaters, College kids, Urban also

Puma

15-20 Year Olds: 35%

Gender: Mainly Male

What sells: High top shoes, not so much sports shoes

Urban and dance culture mainly

Volcom

15-20 Year Olds: 33%

Gender: Mixed

What sells: People bought a real mix of stuff, as the store manager explained it, they are the only shop in Europe, so people come from around the UK to get stuff there. The beany hats sold well.

Youth grouping: People who skate, snowboard, surf etc. Or people who want to buy into the lifestyle.

Record Shop

15-20 Year Olds: 10%

Gender: Mainly Male

What sells: Mainly sold Dubstep and Grime stuff to that age group

Youth grouping: Urban

Carrhartt

15-20 Year Olds: 25%

Gender: Mainly Male

What sells: Sold some jeans and some hats.

Youth grouping: Not sure

Kid Robot

15-20 Year Olds: 75%

Gender: Mixed

What sells: Figured sell very well, clothes not so much.

Youth grouping: Mainly skaters and creative people

King Apparel

15-20 Year Olds: 50%

Gender: All Male

What sells: Tshirts sold well, hats not so much

Youth grouping: People who like Urban culture and music

WESC

15-20 Year Olds: 60%

Gender: Mainly Male

What sells: Hoodies, Headphones and Bobble hats

Youth grouping: All over the place, but dance and urban stuff for sure.

I have been getting very interested in using the idea of masks in my project, I came to this with the idea of gaining confidence by wearing a mask, for instance graffiti writers use masks on a regular basis and there are many examples of bands using them, people will also wear very crazy things at costume parties. When you use another personality or visual identity it is easy to gain confidence. I am interested also in this because of the concept of being in the tribe, by being part of this community at my “youth centre” it is sort of like wearing a mask and assuming the identity of the community.

I found this also, from Novica.

To the Ga people of Ghana, the Hekan mask personifies the spirit of confidence. Literally meaning “Confident,” the Hekan mask is believed to instill confidence in oneself; it will also guide and protect the person. Hekan is believed to provide confidence to a community during a pilgrimage. Robert Nortey expertly carves this mask from sese wood and decorates it with aluminum.

Below is a selection of masks and pieces of sculpture including the one mentioned above, some of them are very modern, some very tribal. I would like to create a mix of styles. Using quite old parts with more modern styling. New Rave Masks or something….

Some interesting costume / mask music videos

After doing some research into street art, I came across Mark Jenkins. Check out his work, its pretty fun, got me thinking a bit more about how I could place my pieces etc.