The make-up performance at Damians Dressing Table aims to provide the audience with a (stylized) insight into the intimacy of the performers dressing room. For the performer the make-up performance is meant to stay connected to their own body and the (objects on) the table whilst transitioning into the drag persona Damian and preparing for […]
Category Archives: Damians Dressing Table
Touch to Sound
As explained in a previous post, touch triggers sound. The aim was to evoke a sense of surprise, presence, and alertness in the performer and the audience. The first exploration was on the types of sound to use. Although surprise was one of the aims there should be logic to the sounds. In the early […]
Mirror and Belt
This post describes the experiments for creating a mirror that aims to assist in regulating breathing by both visual and auditory cues. The mirror acts as a device for entrainment, setting the pace for a slow breathing rhythm. Five bright LED lights (Neopixels) placed around the mirror fade in and out for five seconds respectively […]
Table interactions
The design question for this experiment was how interaction with the table and the objects enables the make-up practice and also enhances the connection with the environment (table and objects) and decreases the sense of self by inducing wonder or awe. The latter are manifestations of self-transcendent experiences [1]. The layout of the table was […]
Shaver 3. Shape
The goal of this experiment was to assess the shape and the fit of the “shaving device” in the hand. The touch with the skin should be pleasant and interesting. Four different shapes were explored using modelling clay. Shaving movements were made with the shapes to feel how the head touched the skin and the […]
Shaver 2. Stimulation
The previous post described different options for skin sensation during “shaving”. The goal of the shaving process is to increase intimacy with and relaxation in the body through movement and tactile stimuli. The most promising materials were: cotton wool, soft foam, neopreen, fleece and velvet (view previous post). This post describes the outcomes of two […]
Shaver 1. Head
This is the first of three posts researching different elements of a shaver for Damian: Shaving head Stimulation Device shape The goal of this experiment was to assess the sensations of nine different materials on the cheeks and throat and the emotions and mind states this evoked. The materials will be used as a “shaving […]
Damians Dressing Table
Who is Damian? The past couple of post are part of the project “Damians Dressing Table”, but who is Damian? Damian D. Doggy is the drag persona of designer and researcher Danielle Roberts, the creator of this blog. Damian was born a couple of years ago. He is a dragking and helps Danielle to explore […]
Experiment e. Embodied table lay-out design
The main goal of these experiments was to gain insights into how changes in table lay-out may increase the sense of connection between the actor, the action (putting on schmink) and the objects. Seventeen different lay-outs were tried. There is a limited amount of objects of which the use is clear. Calm may be created […]
Experiment d. Dressing the table
The main goal of these experiments was to get insights into the role of the table surface in strengthening the connection between the actor, the action (drinking tea) and the objects. Eight variations were tried. To create a sense of connection with the table and the objects the texture and colour of the cloth is […]