Hot Air Balloons

Hot Air Balloons.


Project Object – Week 4

We had our fourth and final workshop at Solaris yesterday and our project apprentices began to finished off their 3D card models of the gondola tram and diorama scenes within a suitcase. Everyone chose aspects of Blackpool that interested them from the archives and used their own resources . Some have concentrated on one piece while others have produced multiple models. Many apprentices expressed that they didn’t feel very confident drawing but enjoyed collaging copies of the archive material.

We discussed the journey our work has taken during the project and the next stage involved, getting the card modeling kit produced. We briefly touched on CE certification, Copyright law and issues surrounding printing and die cutting. Towards the end of the session we put the finished pieces together in a group and explored each other’s work. We were amazed by the beautiful card models and dioramas produced, each piece is totally individual and collectively they demonstrate the diverse range of skill and talent in Blackpool.

We have been blessed with such a lovely, enthusiastic and generous group. The sessions have been so relaxed and enjoyable, we are sorry not to be gathering again. We hope that the project apprentices have enjoyed the workshops as much as us and have gained from the experience. We have certainly picked up some great techniques from the group and hope to incorporate many of the ideas generated, into the finished design. We look forward to showing off  the group’s wonderful work at the Creative Industries Event at the Grundy on the 19th June and can’t wait to see what the other groups have been up to. 

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Project Object – Week 3

Another great day in sunny Blackpool on Tuesday which began with a bespoke guided tour of the Winter Gardens by one of our project apprentices Abigail, who is so incredibly bubbly and enthusiastic about Blackpool and it’s heritage… it’s infectious! Abigail talked about Blackpool having been in the doldrums in recent times and her personal decision to try and make a difference by training to become a heritage guide. She is an inspiration. The twelve function areas within the Winter Gardens were just amazing in their opulent Art Deco, modern, Constructivist, Spanish, Regency and Baroque splendour and we were filled with a sense of awe at the sheer scale of of the building as a visitor attraction.

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Fully inspired, We had a great afternoon working together with our group on our card models and dioramas. One of our participants, Susan showed us the gondola tram she’d meticulously embellished with excuisite beads and lace curtains at home and shared with us some of her own brilliant card model creations. We had our very own mini illumination display thanks to Jean, her tram diorama and very nifty miniature spotlight! Loved seeing her selection of trams through the ages and use of mirror card. We looked at figures to include in the dioramas and it was out with the glitter, glitter glue, sequins, feathers and sand this week. All great fun and very relaxing! We love that everyone’s wholeheartedly throwing themselves into the project and introducing their own particular style and flair. It’s great to see individuals problem solving and finding design solutions. We have so many talented and experimental individuals and it is wonderful to have the opportunity to share ideas, spur each other on and celebrate the varied heritage and spectacle of Blackpool. We hope everyone left with a great sense of achievement because the work created was brilliant!


Platform Gallery Craft Open 2012

We’re really pleased to have heard today that we’ve been invited to exhibit our hot air balloon models in the Platform Gallery’s Craft Open, which runs from Saturday 5th May to Saturday 14th July 2012. The Platform Gallery is a great little art space situated beside Clitheroe train station, in the heart of the Ribble Valley.