LESSONS: Visual and Performing Arts- Headdress Project

Students will make a paper headband, inspired by diverse hats and head gear in the HATS section of the Gallery, on the Shining Cloth Web site (http://shiningcloth.ucdavis.edu), or CD-ROM.

Headbands are easy and have endless visual possibilities. Think of the band as a support for surface embellishments encircling the forehead, from which elements (strings, plaits, nets, tassles) are suspended and fall along the face and around the head, or from which elements project upwards, or both! Students are encouraged to make lots of individual elements that will be attached to their bands. With cut paper and found objects, students can imitate feathers, beetle bodies, coins and amulets, strings of "seeds" or "beads" and so forth.

When completed, students create a context for their work. For example, each student could create a short story about the wearer of the headband, its use and powers. The headbands could be worn in a class parade or during a readers' theater. Students recognize the kinesthetic potential of their headbands by analyzing the particular features that lend themselves to movement. Does it jingle, bounce, flash, sway what movements would work best with each feature? A dance could be constructed in which each wearer moves in the ways that accentuate their headbands' features.

Another approach to this project involves researching the dress and adornment of diverse cultures. Students examine the headdress in the HATS section of the Gallery in the Shining Cloth Web site. Each student selects and researches aspects of a culture or group of people inspired by the images. A similar headdress or headband could be reconstructed, as accurately as possible. Each student could prepare a class presentation or poster presentation of what other clothing elements accompanied the headdress or how it was used and its meanings.

Supplies:
For each student- a strip of white, brown or colored butcher paper, or part of a brown shopping bag measuring about 6 inches wide by about 22 inches long.
Assorted colored papers; magazine or mail order catalogue color images; aluminum foil for "mirrors"; recycled candy and other wrappers; other flat found objects; color media such as crayons, oil pastels, or tempera paints; toothpicks; white glue or glue sticks; scissors; yardsticks or ruler; feathers, buttons, beads, sequins, trims, ribbons, yarn, rick rack, fabric scraps; string, twine, raffia; paper hole punch; stapler, tape.

Procedure:
1. Students fold their strip of paper into thirds, so that the band is a stronger, 2" x 22".
2. Students decide if their band will slip over the head or tie in the back. Adjust the length of the band. Staple or tape the band together.
Ideas: The overlap can be decorated with paper elements or can have clusters of suspended elements. If ties are used, punch a hole through the layers at each end and knot a piece of string into each hole. Students can make more elaborate ties with plaiting, multi-colored strings or strings colored with magic markers, tying/twisting small feathers or paper fringes along the strings, or adding beads or tassels at the ends, and so forth.
3. One or both edges of the band can be scalloped or cut. Embellish the band with mixed media. Toothpicks with small beads, feathers, or paper elements glued on can be inserted into the band or projecting from the top.