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Anti-Gravity by Nickola Bowden
Who: Nickola Bowden
What: ANTI-GRAVITY - denim clad upside down hanging mannequins installed in a collection of industrial memories.
Where: Visual Merchandising Department, TAFE Sydney Institute
Why: Originally inspired by heavy industrialism and its many facades, lines and shapes drove me to create a window reflective of the longevity of materials such as wood and metal which endure hardships throughout their lifetime yet remain a constant on earth. Each deteriorating with age and taking on chameleon characteristics enabling them to blend into their surroundings as time passes.
I wanted to originally create a window where the props juxtapose themselves with new denim styles, although once completed and upon reflection I believe you can repeatedly see many more similarities between wood, metal and denim than I first thought which ultimately unifies the composition and brings a lingering ambiance to the window.
How: Sometimes when one is repeatedly confronted by objects of no value or use to themselves these objects become irrelevant and can only be seen an inanimate objects, purposeless or defined as “junk”.
As a child I spend many hours playing at my grandparents farm which used to run as a fully functional vegetable/animal produce farm. As the years crept by slowly it has become somewhat derelict and what was once a prosperous farmland became a vast space of textures, colours, shapes and tones waiting to be discovered and reclaimed back to it’s original state.
Favourite part of the window: I realised that what I initially had passed off as “junk” as a young child would be my starting point for sourcing materials for my window and it was then that I was able to uncover some of these hidden treasures and use them in a whole different light.
20 March 2012
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9 Comments
These girls & boys are multi-talented – must have a good teacher
The connection between denim and industrial objects definitely creates atmosphere.
Nicola’s window is original and eyecatching. The jeans are displayed perfectly on the upside-down mannis which are expertly suspended! The ironwork and wooden fruitbox give a casual, country outdoorsy feel, which is also great for the jeans. The black tape on the upper body of the maiinis reminds me of the Jean Paul Gaultier Bandage dress.
I am impressed!
I love this it’s so quirky yet steampunk! The way you’ve positioned the upside down mannequins turns this window installation into a ‘stop you in your tracks’ type of work. Well done & welcome to Belle Flaneur!!
AWESOME concept! the detail in this piece is great, the taps trickling metal shards and sly wink from each manni……Brilliant. Nik always does amazing work and this installation was pure BOWDEN!
Yeah I like, suspended disbelief, Dali would be pleased.
Loved the window, awesome photos really capture the experience. Its a terrific tactile world of quirky beautiful juxtapositions.
“wood and metal which endure hardships” similar life cycle to jeans-What a fluke. Escaping gravity in this day and age is difficult…as the tap keeps on flowing through life’s rips and tears..
Love It.
I love how you’ve called it Anti-Gravity, and the fact the mannequins are displayed upside down, as the industrial revolution (the transformation from an agricultural to an industrial nation) passes over their heads as they all smile obliviously with one eye open. (I’m unaware of whether or not this is what you where trying to get at, but this is what i made from it when i see your concept) You’ve managed to make us all levitate with your industrial style window and you’ve certainly made metal and wood sit perfectly side by side-and i think its AWESOME! YAY
Nicola, your concept is purely amazing and original. This will definately be a window that will turn heads and get the minds churning as people are drawn to pause and examine.
Great work Nicola.
That is amazing, i was trying to find which store it was in