BuStopia

Art installation
Fashion show

The first live show was performed Saturday March the 7th 2020 at the Direct Art Action Gallery in Sutton Coldfield. Birmingham UK. The show was part of BuStopia a multi media art exhibition.

The show lasts approximately 5 minutes and is made up of three stages representing a transition from an anxious, depressed state to a feeling of taking ownership of ones life and empowerment.

AWAIT THE BUS

BuStopia is an art installation fashion show that explores anxiety, depression, isolation, detachment and empowerment through a simple visual narrative that is rooted in the graffiti etched bus shelter windows. The models start moving in an anxious state obscured from view by the graffitied windows. Graffiti is projected on to them for the first part of the show symbolic of being swamped in mental disorder and chaos. They are wearing white over garments as they approach the outer side of the maze of windows they remove their white garments the graffiti is now encapsulated in their clothing representing taking control and empowerment this is reflected in the final stage of the cat walk.Fabric of Vandalism part of Mango Ha Ha Ha artwear fashion using the graffiti etched bus sheler windows as a fabric design

Phase 1: Anxiety depression

The first stage of the show the models portray an anxiety or depressed state. The models are some way from the audience. The graffiti projection and the windows reinforcing the feeling of detachment as the models pace across the floor. The music is a piece I created called 'Await the Bus' it is simple and rudimentary with the sounds from standing at a bus shelter

CLASSICAL

The models stop and stand still for this part of the performance. This is the transformation phase where the make up artist applies some colour to the faces of the models in a minimalist fashion. Preparing the models for the final movement.

Phase 2: transformation

The transformation music 'classical' stops. Then the models start to weave through the windows getting closer to the viewers. Slowly the barriers are diminishing.

The models cast of the white outer garments. They reveal the garments I created, this is symbolic like the butterfly that transforms from the caterpillar .

03 - Moonlight Sonata (3rd Movement)

This phase of the show the models are now stood in front of the windows. They are now in full view of the audience the projected film is now hitting them directly. When the models remove their outer white garments they reveal the brightly coloured formal garments that I designed.

A skirt of Vandalism part of Mango Ha Ha Ha artwear fashion using the graffiti etched bus sheler windows as a fabric design

Phase 3: Empowerment

A Jacket of Vandalism part of Mango Ha Ha Ha artwear fashion using the graffiti etched bus sheler windows as a fabric design

They have broken through the anxiety and depression there are no barriers between them and the viewer. They have taken ownership, they are in control of their lives. The clothing symbolises this state by containing the chaotic image within classic formal clean cut garments. The models then engage in a traditional catwalk as the final movement of this show

Mango Ha Ha Ha BuStopia models in the artwear clothing jackets and skirts created by fashion designer andartist Stephen CalcuttA Jacket of Vandalism part of Mango Ha Ha Ha artwear fashion using the graffiti etched bus sheler windows as a fabric design

The models who took part in Bustopia an ar instalation fashion show wearing Stephen Calcutts artwer jackets and skirts

COUTURE OF VANDALSIM

couture of vandalism

JACKET

SKIRT

The Couture of Vandalism represent empowerment, taking back control of ones situation. Transforming your environment, physical and mental into something that is positive and feels good.