Clothing and the Language of the Body

This 6 week course will focus on body language,
gesture, and the ways in which clothing can
enhance these methods of non-verbal communication.
We will take a performance-centered approach
toward design, and try to understand costuming
from the point of view of the actor. Students will
select a series of expressive gestures and poses,
which they will distill down to their most
essential elements. While exploring those gestures
with their own bodies, students will conceive of
costume elements that could add to the power of
their non-verbal communication. Those costume
elements will be mocked-up in 3-dimensions, and
students will be able to experience how wearing
these garments affects their movement and the feel
of their physical gestures. This class is aimed at
BFA1 students in the XDP program, who will be
given priority when enrolling. The course is open
to students from throughout the institute as space
allows.