Ana Krent
Birdman
Class of: 2023
Major: Illustration BFA
Medium: Chipboard, felt, and envelope pins
Faculty: Aviva Maya Shulem
Prompt: Developing a 3D object which demonstrates its connection to the community you identify with, how it defines you, your beliefs, personality, etc. The object should be either a garment, functional tool or body accessory.
Creating this piece was such a fun experience, as well as a long process. The initial idea began with thinking about my community and some sort of experience growing up that has impacted me in some way. I started by thinking about living in Brooklyn and how that has affected me, but I felt like that level of community was too broad. So I narrowed in on my neighborhood and the building I grew up in. I decided to use Halloween as my community experience since it was such an exciting event for me as a kid. I wanted to make something inspired by this holiday, so I came up with three concepts: a jack-o-lantern mask, a witch hat, and a bird mask. I decided to go with the bird mask because I felt like the concept was more creative and I had more of a vision for it than I did for the other two ideas. The mask is made mostly out of thin, bendable chipboard, along with some felt feathers and envelope pins as connectors. I wanted this piece to give off a slightly ominous energy, as it is representative of Halloween, but also a hint of curious and possibly even playful energy as well.