The Heeley Award, 2011
Materials: Coper, Nickel Silver, Wood, Brown Paper, Silver foil
Processes: Fabrication
Concept: Desmond Heeley as a set and costume designer is whimsical and clever, incorporating a juxtaposition of traditional and innovative solutions to the theatre stage. The Heeley award would be presented on behalf of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival to honor Desmond’s theatre career and inspire young students to enter the theatric arts. His designs are magical, just as theatre should be. Desmond plays with the audience’s perception, understanding that from a distance and under stage lighting, he can make things appear as something they are not. For example, he makes large scale chandeliers out of plastic spoons and champagne flutes that from afar pick the light up as if they were crystal. His tactile approach to designing inspired the fabrication of this award. The trophy is constructed of 2 spoons that hold up the central design. The motifs are in keeping with Desmond’s tendency to use scrolling, leafy pieces sprawling from a cartouche. The cartouche in this piece strays from the typical profile portrait. Instead it features the Stratford Shakespeare Festival logo – stylized and cropped face of Shakespeare. The kraft paper base ties into his practice of using this material as wallpaper and papier-mâché hybrid to cover Styrofoam strips giving the illusion of architectural moldings. Furthermore, kraft paper speaks to the way he masters the basic materials and manipulates them in innovative ways.
Materials: Coper, Nickel Silver, Wood, Brown Paper, Silver foil
Processes: Fabrication
Concept: Desmond Heeley as a set and costume designer is whimsical and clever, incorporating a juxtaposition of traditional and innovative solutions to the theatre stage. The Heeley award would be presented on behalf of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival to honor Desmond’s theatre career and inspire young students to enter the theatric arts. His designs are magical, just as theatre should be. Desmond plays with the audience’s perception, understanding that from a distance and under stage lighting, he can make things appear as something they are not. For example, he makes large scale chandeliers out of plastic spoons and champagne flutes that from afar pick the light up as if they were crystal. His tactile approach to designing inspired the fabrication of this award. The trophy is constructed of 2 spoons that hold up the central design. The motifs are in keeping with Desmond’s tendency to use scrolling, leafy pieces sprawling from a cartouche. The cartouche in this piece strays from the typical profile portrait. Instead it features the Stratford Shakespeare Festival logo – stylized and cropped face of Shakespeare. The kraft paper base ties into his practice of using this material as wallpaper and papier-mâché hybrid to cover Styrofoam strips giving the illusion of architectural moldings. Furthermore, kraft paper speaks to the way he masters the basic materials and manipulates them in innovative ways.
