More Tar, More Feather!

In my previous post on this project, i wrote about the research and development portion of the tar application--what fabric, what medium, release agents, etc. And, if you recall, we left poor Ralph the Mannequin wrapped in clingfilm and half-covered in silicone caulk and feathers, curing overnight.

Our next step was to repeat the process on the other side of the suit, give another night's cure-time, then fit it on the actor to test our tar-application and stretchability. This was a success, so the next logical thing to do would be to repeat the process for the back of the suit.

Two caveats though: We had to come up with a way to hide the zipper in the back, and the question was posed, could the tar give off smoke?

I love a challenge! I figured, if we could burn a parasol onstage, we could make tar smoke. But first, the placket... Draper Kaitlin Fara patterned and stitched a Powernet placket onto the costume which could snap into place to hide the zipper, and crafts assistant Rae Cauthen and i then had to get tarring!

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