Bracelet Cuff- Mural Malcom X - Whatever means Necessary

Last weekend i watched for the third time Exit through the gift shop.

I was trying to establish a link between Bricolage and Street art.

In the beginning of the film street art is described as a hybrid form of graffitti using stickers,stencils,posters and sculptures to make their mark by whatever means necessary.

The connection was made The street artist like the bricoleur uses indirect means to make works using whatever is available. The street artist utilizes public space opposed to a canvass and uses elements within his environment. A wall, a telephone booth, street poles,trains and even cars can be transformed into canvasses instantaneously. Any surface may be attacked using any means possible.

In a sense im trying to treat my jewelry as an extended canvass, One that conveys the function of jewelry but also maintains the attitude of street jewelry.

 I was interested in what would happen if i googled the words,

"whatever means necessary".

I found a video by Malcom X.  Although the context of "Whatever means necessary" is based on each individuals human rights, i think its an Icon that symbolizes equality that could quite easily be identified with.

I also like the idea that it speaks into the context equality, as well as bricolage.

So finally i made the decision to use the image. It was in the moment. It just made sense.

Technical Process.

I appropriated the image of Malcolm X

I started by gluing the image over the six Aluminium panels which i had already bent into a C shape.

Using a blade i cut through the image so each aspect of the image is divided onto each panel.

I then began by piercing out all the black shading. I broke about 20 blades in the process but its all good im improving.

Some issues that started to take place was with the removal of parts of the aluminium, the structure was becoming a bit weak, so i had to re pierce the third panel to the left, and make additional space for when i have to connect all the elements together.

I started experimenting with some paint that just happend to be their. It was not a direct design decision to use purple it just happend that way.

It terms of the backing for these panels, i am considering using record vinyl. 

I like the visual contrast against the painted metal 

This process is going to be a long and tedious one. Im basically constructing six pieces of jewellery consisting of bracelets that also make up one image.

I still have to cut and rivet all the vinyl elements to each component, and this is going to scratch the paint and things are going to change.

I havent decided weather im going to let the silver rivets protrude from the front as detail, or weather i will re paint over them.

It looks interesting now but no doubt things are going to change.