Collaboration #EnConstrucción

Within the Civic Factory Fest project on November 26th in Valencia, Cuidades Comgosto organized a collective exhibition with the theme #EnConstrucción (UnderConstruction).

"UnderConstruction of projects, of family, of home, of oneself, of a path, of a great journey, of grieving, of a profession, of deciding to exercise, of restoring lost relationships, of being a single mother, of facing unemployment..."

The exhibition consisted of "phrases written by everyone, images, letters, music, unfinished artworks, half-formed ideas, drawings that have barely begun, temporary inventions…"

I contributed with this panel:: "Marta & Trol underconstuction" (because, in a way, as I build Trol, I am also building myself). Apart from being a "clothing brand," it represents a change of direction, daring to overcome fears, rediscovering myself, learning, and collaborating with others...

In the panel, I share the evolution of the first collection Bichos (Bugs), the process, and the steps I took.

One of my favorite parts, and one that I sometimes have to remind myself, is that not two people are alike, just as there are no identical views of the world... So, what you don't do, will remain undone forever.

0. They were "dark times." I decided to build Trol, and rebuild myself.

1. "Leap and the net will appear." (Julia Cameron, "The Artist's Way")

2. Taking small steps forward. Searching for ideas. Creating an "inspirator" (mood board).

3. The theme: insects. First drawings. No pressure. Having fun.

4. First sketches inspired by insects. Cheerful faces.

5. Fill the workshop with bugs. Bugs everywhere!

6. A little bit of AutoCAD. Going crazy and putting things in order. "My first print, Sparks." Adding color.

7. "My first print, Sparks." (It's a joke about the slogan of a well-known Spanish advertisement for a cologne called "Chispas", Sparks). Adding color.

8. Drawing on the prototype to see the scale of the print.

9. The day I received the fabric with the first sample of the print!

10. Final fabric prototype (sometimes... I make silly jokes, many times!).

11. Sketches on the computer and initial pattern drafts.

12. Back to AutoCAD again. Faithful companion! Creating patterns on the computer with measurements.

13. Preparing pattern cutting layout for sending to the workshop.

14. More schematics for the garment making.

15. Testing and making personal clarifications. Checking for continuity in joints.

16. Initial concept sketches that will change later on...

17. The confection process forces to simplify, clean and order.

18. The workshop is in Madrid. I am in Tenerife. First photos received to decide colors.

19. Exciting! First garments, photos from the workshop. (Oops, those gray sleeves!)

20. And when they finally arrive at your home... and you see them for the first time.

21. And you touch them for the first time!

22. You're amazed by the excellent work they did at the workshop!

23. All the garments are coming out. It seems unbelievable to have come this far!

24. earching for inspiration. I wanted to make InsectHead-handbags.

25. Sketches to see the finishings, fastenings... And the fact is that they look like something else...

26. Paper prototypes to decide on the geometry and create the patterns.

27. Sewing time. Cutting out the pieces.

28. The pins weren't working, so I used clips. Improvising on the go!

29. "Almost almost" finished! It's so exciting to see them all together.

30. "God is in the details" (Gustave Flaubert, "and afterwards" Mies van der Rohe).

31. Trol labels. I still couldn't believe I was actually doing it!

32. Flyers for the Design Market in Madrid, my job in front of the public?

33. First models-tests for the set design of the photoshoot.

34. On a cardboard painted white, a jungle made of paper and pins.

35. Photoshoot, well accompanied by Rocio (the human) and Tara.

36. It was Rocío's first time modeling, what a great job!

37. For me, it was also new, I don't understand much about photography.

38. We saw how the first photos were turning out...

39. Hey, they actually look good! What an attack of joooy!

40. I felt like in a movie: "Overcoming fears, fulfilling purposes."

41. "Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage." (Anaïs Nin)

42. "It's not because things are difficult that we don't dare...

43. ...but because we don't dare that they are difficult." (Seneca)

44. Allow yourself to try things. "Don't fear mistakes: there are none.'" (Miles Davis)

45. Not two people are alike, just as there are no identical views of the world...

46. ...so, what you don't do, will remain undone forever.

47. To be continued...

www.madeintrol.com