FROM TATTOO TO FASHION (PART 1/3)

 Step 1: sources of inspiration

The big variety of tattoos from today is overwhelming, but it can be considered a source of inspiration for other art domains. And this time tattoos of lotus flower were my source of inspiration. In this article I will show the steps for creating my works and the techniques that I used. The first step in any artistic process is the documentation of the chosen subject and collecting a visual material as sources/references. This way:

Tattoos of lotus flower are some of the most widespread tattoos. The meanings of this kind of tattoo differs form the color it has to the culture that it is taken/refering to. Generally speaking, the lotus flower means purity and interior peace (of the soul and spiritualy too), this being my main reason for choosing this type of tattoo.

From a cultural-religious point of view:

In Hinduism the lotus flower – especially the sacred one (pink and tall) – is called Padma. It is associated with many zeities such as Vishnu and Bradhma, representing purity and divine beauty. A blooming lotus represents spiritual awakening and a lotus already bloomed represents spiritual fulfilment.

In Buddhism lotus flower represents piety and purity of the soul, mind and body, being made the analogy with the muddy place in which lotus actually blooms. In Buddhist mithology is considered that Buddha was born from a lotus  flower, this being the reson why his figure is incorporated in some tattoos.

In the Antic Egiptian culture lotus flower was a symbol of the beginning of life, showing that a man is born in this world as a lotus in a swamp.

In the Occidental culture this flower symbolize the seeking of the true meaning of life. But it can mean new beginings and (re)born too.

From a chromatical point of view:

White Lotus: symbolizes spiritual and intellectual  enlightenment. It also symbolizes purity, perfection and interior peace. In Buddhism it represents the suprem goal that a (wo)man should reach.

Red Lotus : it reminds of heart, so it symbolize passion, love, compassion. This type of lotus is usually represented open/bloomed to show that the heart should always be open.

Blue Lotus: symbolizes the contol of the mind over the body (it shows that a strong mind is never tempted to be a pray of flesh pleasures). It can also mean intelligence, knowledge and wisdom. Usually is represented partially open meaning that the domination of mind over the body, and its desires, is never complete and between them will always be a fight.

Violet Lotus: means a mystical and spiritual vision of life. This type of lotus is in many ocassions shown on a plate or in a cup.

Pink Lotus: is considered Buddha`s lotus, representing his stories, knowledge and examples.

From a formal point pf view: in representations, the level of blooming that the flower has can show how open the heart or/and the mind of the bearer is. A lotus shown in water means a higher level of purity and the religious significations can be added too. A lotus created from geometrical structures or tribal elements (lines, dots) are usually monochrome (black) and the cover arms – the place they appear most. A lotus that is created in an abstract style represents an abstract thought process and vision of life. The one created in a expressionist manner represents a thought process based on emotions, and the one created in a realistic manner shows the dominance of logic and rationality in the thought process of the bearer.

In Japan the meaning of lotus is associated with mystical creatures as dragons (the meaning of both symbols are completed each other) or with fish (koi). In China this flower is also considered a symbol of happiness in a couple, that`s why is common for partners to have identical lotus flower as tattoos. 

There is a part 2/3: 
http://allkindsofreality.blogspot.ro/2017/10/from-tattoo-to-fashion-part-23.html
and 3/3 :
http://allkindsofreality.blogspot.ro/2017/10/from-tattoo-to-fashion-part-33.html

ARTICLE WRITTEN BY BURTIUC ALEXANDRA GEANINA

FROM TATTOO TO FASHION (PART 2/3)

PIPE USED IN BATIK TECHNIQUE

Step 2: Working Technique

And based on this information I developed a series of works. I started to transfer a specific tattoo model on a textile material. The working technique I used is called batik. Is a technique that came from Indonesia, which was taken by other Asian countries as well, today being known in the whole world. This is a traditional technique for printing textiles with the help of wax. The wax, because of its chemical composition, after it is fixed in the textile makes that portion to  become waterproof. For wax application – preferably white or some pale shades of colors – is used a (smoking) pipe. There the wax is put to melt over a flame (usually it is used a candle). With this pipe`s help is drawn the model on the surfaces that will have the color of the textile. What is left uncovered will be painted. The material can be drowned in a color bath or manually painted, but it is important that the pigment used to be for textile materials. After that, the wax will be removed. It can be removed by putting the material in boiled water, if the texture allows it. Or it can be removed by putting another textile material on top of it and iron the surface, with a temperature as high as possible. The wax will melt and it will leave grassy sport on the material that was on top.

This technique can be repeated more than one time on the same surface without living unwanted traces. And the textile material painted can be embroidered after, or manipulated through other processes, if wanted.

Step 3: Completing with manually embroidery

The next step is to finish the works by adding embroidery on top of paint. The embroidery was manually made by adding beads of different sizes and forms.  

BLUE LOTUS TEXTURE - Alexandra Geanina Burtiuc

EMBROIDERY DETAIL - Alexandra Geanina Burtiuc

EMBROIDERY DETAIL - Alexandra Geanina Burtiuc

PINK LOTUS TEXTURE - Alexandra Geanina Burtiuc

STILL WORKING - Alexandra Geanina Burtiuc

VIOLET LOTUS TEXTURE - Alexandra Geanina Burtiuc

PEARLS ADDED - Alexandra Geanina Burtiuc

Here is the next part (3/3):
 http://allkindsofreality.blogspot.ro/2017/10/from-tattoo-to-fashion-part-33.html

        ARTICLE WRITTEN BY BURTIUC ALEXANDRA GEANINA

FROM TATTOO TO FASHION (PART 3/3)

Step 4: Digitalization

Because we live in an era of digital, I worked digitally as well. I used a multiplication technique for creating a series of prints.

GEOMETRICAL LOTUS - Alexandra Geanina Burtiuc

LET`S SAY PINK - Alexandra Geanina Burtiuc

WHITE OR VIOLET? - Alexandra Geanina Burtiuc

DISINTEGRATED LOTUS - Alexandra Geanina Burtiuc

LOTUS OF DOTS - Alexandra Geanina Burtiuc

VIOLET LOTUS - Alexandra Geanina Burtiuc

PINK OR WHITE? - Alexandra Geanina Burtiuc

RED LOTUS - Alexandra Geanina Burtiuc

REPETITIVE PINK - Alexandra Geanina Burtiuc

Step 5: The garment

The last step of this whole experiment was to transfer all the textures that I previously made in a garment. So I`ve chosen one of them and I made a digital sketch based on a manually drawn one.

THE LOTUS FLOWER - Alexandra Geanina Burtiuc

ARTICLE WRITTEN BY BURTIUC ALEXANDRA GEANINA