This is the design for a functional sculptural piece for a series of proposed works titled under SHOFUSO COLORS. Shofus(obi) --Shofuso Obi-- entails the production of three to four long hand-knit garments hat can function as both an Obi and a Scarf! The object itself is inspired by both the traditional Japanese Obi as well as the Iconic scarf worn by actor Tom Baker in his role as Doctor Who on the long running (now revived) British series.
As are each piece in the working series SHOFUSO COLORS, Shofus(obi) is a meshing of eastern and western aspects; materials,
methods, references.
The reference to Doctor Who, though unabashedly fun and unexpected, is not merely a novelty, nor is it even obscure
considering its historical popularity, its increasing availability on DVD in the US, and its massive revival of the past 5 years. For the un-apprised, the concepts that Doctor Who brings forth; that of "travel through time and space," constant open cultural exchange, and the blending and growing of ideologies and attitudes, is a direct reference to what the experience Shofuso allows; a transposition in time and space to seventeenth century Japan via modern day Fairmount Park, Philadelphia. Therefore each scarf will contain a color scheme which derives from parts of Shofuso that I consider to have the most transporting qualities; the tea ceremony, the cherry blossoms, the Koi Pond, and the interiors.
Ideal for an autumnal exhibition, I imagine several possible exhibitions of the scarf/obi. They could be worn as part of a demonstration; something like a runway on the veranda, where some are worn as scarves and others as obi. Or they could be shown as a temporary exhibition on several standing dress-forms. These dress-form displays could also be "installed" respectively in the areas of Shofuso that inspired their color selections.
