Doctoral student Lin Mingjing and up-and-coming fashion designer Cai Chun have been collaborating with Sinterit for some time on special costumes that combine traditional craftsmanship with 3D printing technology for the exclusive performance of Peking Opera singer Farewell My Concubine at the Royal College of Art (RCA) in London. The costumes will feature Farewell My Concubine wearing special costumes. They believe that combining craftsmanship and technology can create something new and inspiring, and they have applied 3D printing to create continuously pleated costumes for Peking Opera based on their expertise.
The concept of clothing is based on fabrics with specific properties. To create such textures, the fabric must be both flexible and continuous. In this case, the fabric is not only used to present special effects, but also an important element of the performance, and therefore it must be extraordinary. Using 3D printing can provide more possibilities for dramatic geometric shapes; for example, three-dimensional, hollow texture designs, while some new materials even have abrasion-resistant properties.
However, in order to meet these conditions, 3D printing materials must also meet two main functions: first, they must be able to achieve the shape designed by the artist; second, they must be in a form that allows Peking Opera performers to wear them freely on stage, because the costumes in "Farewell My Concubine" are inseparable from the story's connection.
The Struggle Between Culture and Technology
Lin Ming-ching emphasized: "I would not describe myself as an artist, but rather as a researcher; there was even a time when I opposed high technology, and many of my designs were done by hand. I really love the tactile feel of materials, and I want to touch and feel life and nature, but when I tried 3D printing , everything became irresistible, because 3D printing truly provides the opportunity to put imagination into practice."
Sinterit Lisa fulfilled all expectations for this collaboration by using a flexible powder— Sinterit Flexa Black —that allows the texture to synchronize with the actors' bodies. This material is fully wearable, replacing traditional materials to emphasize the styling of the costumes; at the same time, the new material maintains a harmonious form with traditional clothing.
While Sinterit Lisa 's materials can also be dyed, the monochromatic colors and minimal embellishments of the costumes in this performance perfectly complemented contemporary aesthetics. In the future, this SLS 3D printing material could be further explored in relation to movement, fashion, and the body.
The fusion of old and new, sparks flying
The texture of 3D-printed fabrics differs from traditional clothing. The unique textures created by these special materials will attract diverse audiences to the exhibition, and their combination with costumes from traditional Chinese opera can spark new cultural ideas. Lin Mingjing stated in an interview, "Peking Opera is a highly communicative medium because it is beautiful, exquisite, and contains evocative rhythms and body language. Furthermore, we believe that traditional Peking Opera costumes have remained unchanged. By incorporating modern design and technological elements, Peking Opera can be expanded to a wider, younger audience." By blending new technologies and traditional craftsmanship, the definition of fashion is being elevated to a new level.
3D printing technology is finding increasingly wider applications across various fields. SLS technology was previously used in the creation of swimwear for Miss South Africa (further reading: 3D Printing Adds a Touch of Splendor to Miss South Africa ), and various new powders are constantly being added, developed, and tested. Besides the soft Flexa Black mentioned in this article, you can refer to the new Sinterit series of printed products shared previously. (Further reading: Sinterit Composite Material New Prints, Highly Flexible and Movable Structure! )
Follow our fan page to stay up-to-date with the latest news: https://www.facebook.com/3dmart.com.tw/
Original Document (I) Original Document (II)