Scott N Andrew

Activated Anamorphs

2014-2021

Activated Anamorphs: Performative Inhabitables and Interactive Prostheses prestented a hybrid of relationships between wearable sculpture and prosthetics, movement and identity-based performance for video, social media, experimental fashion and live performance. The course emphasized hands-on experience, the development of visual skills, craftsmanship, conceptual development, and performance techniques. Students designed and fabricated performative devices that altered, augmented, masked, and transformed the body and its inherent abilities. The course culminated in a series of live performance events in collaboration with the Carnegie Mellon University's School of Music’s Exploded Ensemble and other guest artists.

Students worked in a variety of media, including sculptural approaches with fabric, papier-mâché, ready-made and recycled materials that investigated new ways to interacting with physical environments through exploration in the adaptation, translation, enhancement, exaggeration, modification, and mutation of the human body. These constructions were then activated through performance gestures for photo, live and prerecorded video, social media platforms, and live and interactive events.

Gallery

Close-up of a person's face and hands under purple lighting, with the word "Variety!" repeated in colorful, stylized text. A strip of thumbnails shows diverse images below. Performer in a dark setting, wearing a star-shaped, reflective headpiece with circular cutouts, arms outstretched. Performance art with a woman in a silver dress kneeling, extending hand to a dog in a matching costume. Performer in a silver costume holding a black circular frame with red fabric strips, illuminated by red stage lights. Performers in colorful, shaggy costumes with long tails dance in a large hall with high ceilings and windows. Figure in a green velvet costume with a tall hat and peacock feathers plays a violin against a blurred green background. Person in a glowing blue costume made of layered materials, with spiked armbands, standing in a dark, outdoor setting. Three images: a woman in vines, a person in a cactus suit, and a standing garment made of colorful fabric strips. Collage of costumed figures: one in bright rainbow fur, one camouflaged as a cactus, one wearing a large patterned basket, one in a blue light-up cocoon, and one in a green film-strip suit. Figure shrouded in flowing bright pink fabric, arms raised, against a dark, blurred natural background. Performer in goggles and white jersey, with large, textured white antlers, illuminated by blue light in a dark space. Performance art with people in eclectic, colorful costumes, including a figure in a teal mask playing a violin. Man in a colorful costume made of shredded paper and a matching mask, standing in a lush green forest. Four performers in costumes blow long red horns at two smiling people walking on a colorful floor. Two performers on stage: one in a red wig, coat, and shoes, holding a fan; another in a suit and glasses. Dark cave interior with glowing purple and blue light on the right, and a green-lit figure in the distance. Performer in a shiny pink suit bending over a clear inflatable pool with a mannequin, band in background. Dancer in a floral top and long white skirt strikes a pose on a dark stage. She holds pink ribbons. Stage lights and musical instruments are visible in the background. Dark stage view of a performer in black suit and sunglasses singing into a microphone. Performance art with costumed figures on red court, projected with pink and purple abstract patterns on a wall. Person in puffy pink & white costume stands in dark woods, lit by purple light. Sculptural forms attached to trees. Performance art piece with a figure in silver bodysuit, partially obscured by a cage-like structure draped with red ribbons, holding a fan. Stage lighting creates a dramatic, dark atmosphere. Performance art scene with figures in costumes under blue light. One wears a shark head and scarf, another a cage-like headpi Performance art with a singer in a black suit against a projected, blurred face in blue, green, and orange light. Performer in cow-print bodysuit, fishnets, and white boots poses on stage with musical instruments in the background. Performance art with figures in shiny red, green, and pink bodysuits against a vibrant, blurred backdrop. Performer in pink costume and fishnets poses on stage with musical instruments in background. Blindfolded performer sits on stage, mouth open, holding hammer aloft. A clay sculpture rests on a cloth in front of them. Dark clothing contrasts with the bright stage light. Performance art featuring a figure with a large red spherical head and red dreadlocks, crouching amidst a cluster of soft, fleshy-toned forms. The figure wears red pants and has a red hand extended towards the floor. The background is a blurry stage A barefoot woman in a black leotard paints red designs on a white canvas on a dark stage with bright lights. Performance art scene: a person with white curly hair and a black sequined dress stands behind a red table, holding tongs up to their face. A red candle and bowl sit on the table. Dark background. Performance art featuring a person in a glittery inflatable pool, wearing peach-colored clothing. Another person pours a yellow liquid from a clear container onto them. Red inflatable objects are also in the pool. The scene is lit with purple and pin Performer in a white geometric bird mask and dark costume with outstretched arms, illuminated by blue light. A woman in profile dips a large brush into a container. She is illuminated by a spotlight. Behind her are a speaker, a laptop, and a keyboard, all out of focus. The background is dark. Woman in gold dress and dark cape holding a staff, with a person in a blue shark costume in the background. Performance art with costumed figures on stage, blue projected digital art on background wall. Performance art with a person lying on the floor in the foreground, wearing a brown and green costume. Behind them are blurred figures in costumes of red, silver, and blue, under blue lighting. Person in elaborate costume and makeup, with large curly hair, against a backdrop of colorful, lit trees at night. Person in elaborate costume with horns and flowing cape, illuminated by purple light in a dark outdoor setting. Group of people in elaborate, colorful costumes on a red court at night, with trees and buildings in the background. A figure in a flowing red garment stands under a tree, illuminated by pink and purple lights in a dark forest. Person in shiny silver suit lying on dirt ground in a dark cave, illuminated by a bright teal light. Performer with reflective, angular costume in a dark, smoky space with falling confetti, lit by a spotlight. A person in mining gear holding a shovel and a glowing yellow orb, with green laser dots in a dark cave. A person in a plaid shirt with an elongated neck reaching up to a window where another person looks out. Figure seated on steps, head obscured by a pink pillow. A pink tube extends from the figure, ending in a mannequin head wearing a baseball cap. Debris and leaves surround the base. Installation view of a blue, illuminated, cocoon-like form surrounded by dark branches atop a blue, crinkled surface with embedded lights. A bright light source shines from above, casting a green and orange glow. Performance art with costumed figures in a dark room with blue and purple projected abstract visuals on the back wall.