Covering objects in skin

Following my idea of creating my own 'skin' for the final project, I poured liquid latex and spread it across a sheet of greaseproof paper. I also tried the same with PVA glue, thinking of when I was young and used to peel dried PVA glue from my skin. They both took a long time to dry, but I did not use a hair dryer or any heat to speed up the process. I was interested in how the liquids sunk into the grooves in my floorboards to create patterns, textures and veins in the surface. 

Once dry, I peeled the latex from the sheet and was pleased to see it stayed in one solid sheet of skin. Unfortunately, the PVA glue was too delicate and thin and would not peel off in one whole piece. It also dried hard, so would crack with movement. However, the liquid latex looked good - it was translucent, elastic, vulnerable and skin-like; even with 'veins' and folds running through it. The only problem was the colour - I either need to buy some skin-coloured latex, or try painting it. 

I used Kryolan foundation in various shades and painted over the latex, blending it well and making sure to get into the creases and textured parts. I think it looks much more skin-like after adding colour. I am really happy with how the 'skin' looks, and I now look forward to creating sheets on much larger scales to create walls and covers for objects. 

I also tried using fabric as 'skin'. Cutting up two pairs of skin-colour nylon tights, I began stapling them together to cover and wrap a chair. I took photos at various stages, as I pulled and stretched the nylon, fixing it to cover more and more of the chair. What I liked was the fragility - if I pulled too hard, the staple would rip the nylon and it wouldn't stay where I pulled it. I think the skin-colour, combined with the holes, gaps and tears, add a sense of crudity as it draws the mind to think of a naked body with all of its folds, gaps and shapes. 

I then covered a mirror in the same tights. I like the idea of using a mirror because it is where a person sees oneself; it connotes vanity, insecurity, appearance, disguise and modification. 

Finally, I draped the liquid latex skin over a chair and a mirror. While the sheet of latex was not big enough to fully cover the chair, it still gives a sense of how it might look. For the mirror, I tore a hole in the latex as it was not transparent enough to see a reflection in the mirror through it. 

Following on from my small sheet of liquid latex skin, I made a much bigger sheet so that I could cover objects in it. I poured the latex out on to grease proof paper and spread it with a spatula, leaving it to dry overnight. I tried using a hairdryer to speed up the process but I found that the force from the air blowing it moved the latex slightly so I decided it would be best to let it dry naturally. Once dry, I painted it with a few foundation shades to create texture and variation in colour. I used various brush strokes to create stippled parts, smooth parts, etc. I then peeled the sheet off the paper and was pleased that none of it ripped. A few holes were left but I think this adds to the aged, decayed skin effect. I then began covering objects in the skin. I noticed a few things: firstly, the underside of the skin tends to stick to itself if it makes contact, meaning it was fiddly to keep peeling it apart; second, the more I handled it the more holes appeared. Therefore, to solve this problem, I should try to use talcum powder to prevent the sticking, and if I use sheets like this for my final piece, I should transport the sheets still stuck to the greaseproof paper and peel them off when they are ready to be used. I covered various objects; a chair, a sink, a mirror and a section of a desk/bedside table. I tried turning a lamp on behind the skin as well to create a glow. I quite like the finished results; the skin is at first quite grotesque and startling, and the fact that it is covering everyday objects points to the idea of our homely necessities that make us feel human, as though they are under our skin. 

Reluctant to lose my photography and film aspects, I played around with attaching the photographs to the skin. I think the in image below the photographs stand-out too much. Therefore, instead I have had an idea of making the floor of my 'skin tent' out of the images, all stuck together, rather than pinning them to the walls. I also covered my laptop, playing my short film, with nylon tights. This is how I am planning on incorporating my film into my installation. I will have to be careful to stretch the nylon enough so that it is quite sheer and the film is visible through it.