Dreams By Machine

Re-purposed and Functional Art

• My Theory of Deconstruction

  Posted on January 7th, 2012 admin No comments

  Why deconstruction?

  You have no idea, unless you’ve done this for a living. For years.

  You can’t know how infuriating it is to have construction, materials and styles dictated to you by people with no idea of how things are actually made. Who will argue with you about the physical properties of fabric and zippers and notions- arguments you can only answer with “they just don’t work that way”. What it’s like to explain ad infinitum (and ad nauseum) how materials go together to make a garment.

  Many designers insist that their creations appear magical. That the garments not appear as having been constructed so much as sprung full-form from the designer’s head like gods and goddesses.. This vantage point views actual visible seams as being evil. And understanding that actual people, working with actual machinery MADE these garments is somehow wrong.

  Piffle.

  These items are made. With human, bleeding, actual hands. And the stories behind their making can be horrifying to relate. Viewing the seams shows you the process and the artistry. Wearing seams on the outside is hardly more fragile than wearing them on the inside- after all, all the seams get washed and worn and used, no matter where they are.

  Yes, I want you to see them.

  So many of the items we use every day are used without that understanding- that actual people MAKE these things. That there is a process involved in the creation of everything. For some, meat only appears in cellophane wrapped packages and furniture just shows up at the doorstep. Knowing where things come from can only make us more aware.

  Know how thy bonds are made. For in knowing the source, we are set free.

  

  Making in Action

  Artworks A. Laura Brody, deconstructivist fashion, Hollywood Fringe Festival, Presque Pret a Porter, repurposed fashion