Bracelet Cuff- Mural Malcolm X

Last week i worked on the fitting and installation of the record vinyl elements as backing inlays. I chose to use record vinyl as it is representational of music culture.

I could also have used black perspex but like the bricoleur i used indirect means.

I used what was accessible and available.

I like the sheen of record vinyl as it has a visually interesting texture. Its not the easiest medium to work with. 

I also like the idea that the vinyl was once a vehicle  which once told us stories through song and now it conveys a new type of story through its new function.

Malcolm X was a speaker, so mabee its back in its right place.

Mabee to subvert the vinyls application could stand as a metaphor for freedom of expression.

Process

I used silver rivets to connect the record vinyl elements to the back of the aluminium cut outs. When hammering the rivets, i knocked off a bit of the paint.

Im not sure if im going paint over the rivets and the chipped paint or embrace its raw elegance.

There is the risk of getting paint on the vinyl, and i want to maintain the stark contrast between painted metal and vinyl.

I also want to fill in addittional detail, by means of making a cardboard stencil and painting in additional detail.

This conceptual piece has allowed me to venture into an interesting way of thinking. For a while i forgot i was making a Jewellery and the concept kind of blurred the line between sculpture, industrial design and Jewellery.

For the construction of the final six pieces i still have to make 48 rivets and 6 catches before this project proves itself successfull. 

I like the way each bracelet stands independantly as its own intrinsic design, and when placed together make up a whole image.

I still need to make the frame to hold all the bracelets in place for display purposes.