Something that flies - one day project

Group work: takes a while to get going, finding an idea that inspires all three of us.
Caged bird - cage decorated with wings. Ironic juxtaposition?

My bird, paper. We each made a different bird.

Rushed to finish this so it's very rough and ready. Not sure that the cage 

wings work, or are even necessary.

24 September

Working on transcription idea, possibly using techniques of wirework cuff that I made last year. I'm basing a motif on the arched decoration on the Accademia building.

Made a paper maquette. The rolled paper 'beads' represent the supports at the base of the arches. I imagine this as being a 3-D framework above the beads, so having a triangular cross-section. But now I'm not sure about the wire wrapping, between the arched struts. I like the openness and delicacy of the framework on its own, and the clean white look, which echoes the frilled cuffs of later Renaissance fashion.

Will try different materials to develop this further, and also work on the idea of a cut out black foam piece.

Looking for information on styles of jewellery contemporary with the Accademia building.
Found this German portrait A Lady aged 29 in 1582. (That is later than the date of the building.)

In my copy of 7000 years of Jewellery, I came across a reference to niello (a fusible compound of silver, lead, copper and sulphur), popular as a black decoration on silver. Somehow incorporate this into a design?

Link to Niello

Should start sketching! Best way for me to work out ideas for style and materials.

Next, some research to find a good photo of the details of the building, also on its history. It was originally a church, present building is mid-15th century (Renaissance), although Canaletto's painting is dated around 1725. 

Here's a good view of the detailed decoration on the facade, I feel this would translate well into jewellery.

Found a comment from Ruskin (WMC connection!): 

Once an interesting Gothic church of the 14th century, lately defaced, and applied to some of the usual important purposes of the modern Italians. The effect of its ancient facade may partly be guessed at from the art of Canaletto, but only guessed at; Canaletto being less to be trusted for renderings of details, than the rudest and most ignorant painter of the 13th century. 

Pompous and patronising?! But we must be grateful to him ... for WMC.

Link to The Accademia as a church

I looked at the details in the painting, and focused on the Accademia building.

Transcription project: initial research

Working on 'Transcription', a project to create something new inspired by an existing work, in the National Gallery. As I'm starting this course 3 weeks into it, I thought I'd do online research first, and had a look at the '30 highlight paintings'.
       Canaletto's Stonemason's Yard jumped out at me as it reminded me of visiting Venice  -  JG Links' Venice for Pleasure guide takes you to Canaletto's viewpoint, across the Grand Canal to the Accademia Museum opposite. I love Venice and immediately felt that I would find some inspiration here.

 Link to The Stonemason's Yard, National Gallery