Monday, March 27, 2006

Lilli&Tom at Sandgate Library


Lilli&Tom miniature are on display this March at Sandgate Library. Lilli&Tom (life-size) took the opportunity to wander down to check them out. After admiring their tiny fellows in the cabinet, Tom happened on a Star Trek: DS9 book and settled into a comfy chair. Lilli remembered a CD she was fond of and thought she would check the library catalogue on-line.

Little did they know what was in store for them this quiet Friday morning....

Opening New worlds with Toys



Lilli&Tom came to Sandgate Library to visit their miniature namesakes and catch a little quiet time, but my friend Sue the Librarian and I, had planned something a little more energetic ;D

Grade 5 pupils from a Northside School flew through the Library doors, their faces freshly sparkling from a recent cloud burst and full of chatty good spirits. The class came to learn about creativity in their community and see the 'famous' Lilli&Tom! They asked lots of interesting questions, keeping me on my toes.

They listen to my talk about toy making and heard how stories might be imagined. They explored Lilli&Tom and Novas Infinite - Whatsie and Gizmo. They even found out about blogs! Indeed, revealing the possiblities of the Library - opening new worlds.

Novas Infinite Discovered!




I knew Lilli&Tom life-size would cause a stir but was completely unprepared for the flocks of admiration for Novas Infinite! Gizmo and Whatsie were definitely stars!!

Going everywhere that Lilli&Tom go, Gizmo and Whatsie enjoy the Library just as much. They found Lego in the story area and some nifty books too. Whatsie imagined floating in space with Astronauts and Gizmo was fascinated following silvery lines of circuitry. When grade 5 found them they wanted to join the fun with their new friends. What great memories:)

Lessons in Toy Making

The opportunity to speak about the development of Lilli&Tom and their construction to grade 5 was very rewarding. They spoke of learning that they could make things at home.

I brought along examples of the materials and tools I use for them to see and touch; then explained the process of construction; answered questions and asked them what they thought I did next at each stage.

I've made up some colouring pages of Lilli&Tom outlined on a photo of King George Square in Brisbane's CBD, together with a few line drawings of clothes and accessories and hair styles. Everyone got to take a set back to school with them. They'll be hung up in class and at the Library. I'll be posting a couple of their master pieces here on the blog so stay tuned!

(Please note: the photos in the story "Lilli&Tom at Sandgate Library" have been taken and posted with individual parental consent.)

Wednesday, March 22, 2006

Lilli&Tom: Where it All Began


Lilli&Tom life-size dolls, whom are the main focus of this blog, had their beginnings in more modest dimensions. Lilli&Tom was the name I gave to two series of artist miniature cloth dolls representing the creative community in Brisbane. Twenty dolls in each series, each doll with its own story and collector's set.

The name Lilli&Tom was derived from Lilliputian, a race of very tiny humans in the book Gulliver's Travels; Tom refers to Tom Thumb ,the tale of a small boy who stood as big as your thumb - so in essence Lilli&Tom were little people.

Later I thought of photographing the dolls in the places mentioned in their stories, but their size would have made it very difficult. So life-size Lilli&Tom was created!! I had not called any of the previous dolls Lilli or Tom and so I decided to make The Lilli and The Tom. Now I take them places all over Brisbane and photograph their lives out and about. It's really fun getting the community involved and the feedback is always so positive. They are not so easy to take around, I need an assistant with me, but its worth the effort and I enjoy having them as a part of my life.

Tuesday, March 21, 2006

Lilli&Tom ningyo installation 2004

This is the lower section of the very first Lilli&Tom window installation. It was in the Ivory Street Window of Craft Queensland during November 2004. There were 20 dolls (Series 1) on 20 papier mache houses with their individual story on each one. It was a delight to see the passers-by read the stories of these little Brisbane people. When I encounter people who remember the exhibit they often remark that they know someone just like one of the dolls. Then they would ask if I knew that person too. "No," I'd say and smile at the coincidence, perhaps I'll met them one day.

If you're wondering, the word ningyo is a Japanese word that roughly translates to human form or doll. I borrowed this word to use instead of doll because I was interested in using the dolls to represent ourselves and our culture rather that as childerns' playthings. Not that I mind playthings:)

Lilli&Tom miniature collector's set

Each Lilli&Tom miniature cloth doll comes with a hand cut and stenciled box, a hand bound book, a shashiko stitched bag, story display card (not shown) and wire stand (not shown).

Each Lilli&Tom doll is very special and so I chose to express this special caring by designing and hand making a collector's storage set. The Box is a place to keep all the pieces of the set together. The Bag has the Lilli&Tom house logo and the dolls name embroidered on it - the doll can be kept warm and snug in its own bag when traveling or when put away for safe keeping. The Book records the story of the doll, the meaning of Lilli&Tom as an art project and also is signed, dated and numbered by me, Florence Forrest:) as a document of providence.

Unfortunately the doll in this picture has been put together with the wrong set. This doll's name is Lisa; she a fashion designer who studies Chinese caligraphy. Ingrid, whose bag is shown in the photo, is a former performance artist now book publisher.

Lilli&Tom miniatures wear vintage kimono fabrics

Who are these two Brisbane dudes? On the left is Alex: he presents a music program on 4zzz (the coolest independent radio station in Brisbane). He collects Japanese manga and enjoys taking his little brother for family picnics to New Farm Park and Mt Cootha Botanic Gardens.
On the right in the jeans is Lee: he works in the city, the usual office job but that's ok, there's always Perisher Ski Resort come winter.

The stories are completely fictional, the dolls are not actual brisbane people rather they are an expression of the creative type of people that live in Brisbane. Creative doesn't just mean the Arts, creativity begins with enthusiasm and curiosity.

Look closely at the fabrics I've used in the miniatures clothes; they are mainly vintage kimono fabrics. These fine and varied fabrics from Japan often have very small patterns which suit the miniature scale. I chose the fabrics for the clothes and then arrange the fabric on the body of the doll to develop the style of the shirt and pants. Letting the nature of the fabric speak creates unique styles.

Lilli&Tom miniatures poster for MoBstore

Following the lilli&tom ningyo installation the lilli&tom collector's set Series 2 were available at the Museum of Brisbane store in City Hall. This colourful poster hung in the Queen Street Mall light box in the Brisbane CBD for about a month.

Lilli&Tom miniatures tour BCC Libraries 2006

Lilli&Tom miniature cloth dolls are touring Brisbane City Council Libraries all this year.
See them on display; each has their own story.

January - Chermside
February - Toowong
March - Sandgate
April - Bracken Ridge
May - Nundah
June - Carina and Central
July - Everton Park
August - Indooroopilly
September - Carindale
October - Mitchelton
November - Banyo
December - Mount Ommaney