Awakening
Michelle Dufaur
Theme: Environment
The Pangolin is not only suspected to be the animal in which COVID-19 leapt into humans. Poached for use in traditional medicine for treating ailments such as anxiety, hysteria & fever. It’s scales are also thought to bring good luck. It volvates, like a woodlouse, when threatened and curls it’s young pangopup into it’s own personal isolation. Oh the irony! Although protected by legislation since the 70’s, it is still the most trafficked mammal in the world. Eight of the species are critically endangered.
The parallels between the treatment of animals like the pangolin and our environment are clear. Although the will to protect the world around us is at an all time high and legislation is in place, it will take the implementation of a demand reduction strategy to save it and ultimately save ourselves.
During our own enforced isolation this spring, life has been slowed, freedom to move in our locality has been limited, but with it has come a raised awareness and appreciation of the natural world around us.
We have also seen positive affects on our climate, with dramatic reduction of carbon emissions. What will happen as the world un-curls …?
“Everything in our planet is interconnected – and we are a part of the equation, …we must transform our relationship with nature.” WWF
Michelle became part of the Same Sky team in 2012.
Initial design: The Pangolin is suspected to be the animal in which COVID-19 leapt into humans.
I decided to use the shape of the Pangolin for my lantern. Although the will to protect is at an all time high & legislation is in place, it’s still in threat of extinction.
Pangolin maquette. Paper, tape & vinyl. June 11th 2020.
Making your memory. Below are 3 small clips showing simple ways to make a silhouetted image. I will incorporate the memories onto the pangolin lantern. ‘Cyril-the-squirrel’ by Jacky who visited their birdbath during lockdown.
After scaling up my image, I create a 2 dimensional sketch in willow. I then pull this into a 3D shape by adding further circles and teardrop shapes at right angles.
I hold all of these hoops in place with long lines of willow from head to the tail. This will essentially define the final structure. There’s a lot of wobble in the tail. - so fixing pole gaffered in.
Image shows in red, where I intend to run my lighting.
Disappearing under paper.
All ready for decoration.
The last stage of lantern making is detail. For the pangolin, this was it’s eyes, claws & scales.
There’s a level of symmetry that needs to be respected in decorating a piece like this and having already decorated the maquette gave me valuable insight.
Many thanks to everyone who sent in images. Once silhouetted they were placed randomly wherever they fitted best in the scales.
Finished illuminated sculpture.
Drawing freehand.
Posted by Michelle Dufaur on Thursday, 18 June 2020
Tracing a photo
Posted by Michelle Dufaur on Thursday, 18 June 2020
Direct symmetrical cutting.
Posted by Michelle Dufaur on Thursday, 18 June 2020
