ARTIST - SOPHIE ANZALDO

Sophie Anzaldo aka Crystal Coated, is a LA based artist who works on TV, Film and industry projects.

Her work has been featured by McDonald's, Disney and The Masked Singer.

She uses crystals to painstakingly bejewel items such as Microphones and set pieces. Her work is very kitsch, and has heavy early 2000's references. The bling aesthetic is closely linked to Hip Hop and R&B culture, which is also linked to Graffiti. There is banality to the work, as the concept of stoning is nothing new, but her attention to detail and perfectionism can be seen throughout her work.

This McDonald's x Saweetie campaign has heavy 90's/00's references. Saweetie is a rapper who also references early 00's culture in her styling and music videos.

Her work has a strong sense of Americana, and McBling influences, just like my own project.

INSPIRATION - MCBLING

I was inspired by the Y2K aesthetic, also known as McBling.

This features candy pastel colours, digital influences, popular culture references, diamante/bling from the early 2000s. It is kitsch and tacky and is hyper-feminine. This is ironic, especially due to my subject matter. The sickly sweet aesthetic mixed with a sweary, exasperated phrase like 'For Fuck's Sake' is total contradiction and contrast. I love to explore duality, such as in my last project, between mental health and highly polished, feminine aesthetics.

FABRICATING LETTERS

Using the laser cutter, I created the front of all my letters.

The thickness of my wood was 3mm, so I measured a 3mm border inside each letter. I then used the offcuts of wood to laser some small 3x3cm squares, to attach alongside the border. This would give my wooden borders something to attach to and prevent them from falling over whilst the glue was curing.

These following images show my laborious process -

• Measuring each individual edge and angle

• Cutting each side on the band saw - concentrating on being precise with every cut

• Using resin glue and wood glue to attach each individual piece

• Using weights to ensure the pieces stuck

• Using clamps to hold them together whilst the glue cured

• Filling each finished piece to create an even, perfect surface

• Priming each letter with a PVA/Emulsion mix

• Painting each letter with white paint to ensure a crisp base for my paints

These pictures show 3 intense weeks of working 5 days each week in the 3D workshop. The process was extremely labour and time intensive, but incredibly satisfying. I made so many mistakes along the way. However, once I got to the 6th and 7th letters, I felt as though I finally understood the process.

If I could change anything, I would make them even bigger. I feel as though now I have made 7 individual letters I am able to confidently make more and have finally cracked the process.

Overall, I am extremely pleased with the outcome. I do believe the hard work (3 weeks in the workshop) was worth it.

When my letters were finally finished, they were able to stand alone which was my goal. A fellow student mentioned how the letters reminded them of the Hollywood sign, which was unintentional but made me think of Post-Modernism. Having researched into Americana signage so heavily for my last project, I had been influenced subconsciously and created a font very close to the Hollywood sign.