Yan Smiley II

                                     Above: photograph by Gareth Easton

Yan Smiley's: 'A Voiceless Vault of Blue' (Above) and 'King' (Below) graduate performance costumes. 

'A Voiceless Vault of Blue', is a self devised sci-fi ballet set on a Scottish Loch side in 1670. The design takes inspiration from Scottish poetry, restrictions and warped perceptions of life within mirrored stained glass. 

" The album 'King' by Fleshgod Apocalypse, takes barbaric manipulations from a 19th century court to reflect on the poisonous nature of contemporary society, with the King representing honour and good within us all 

Above and below: Photograph of detail by Yan Smiley

Yan Smiley

"In this project, I explored the character of Roy Lichtenstein. Through study, I unveiled traits of ignorance, innocence, and curiosity towards the female and her body. These said characteristics are often found expressed in his work. The costume embodies this curious nature, through performance the audience is encouraged to engage in their own curiosity- whilst simultaneously realising HIS fascination with the human form. With reference to puppetry, robotics and Lichtenstein's graphic outlining, the figure is divided, disjointed, enlarged and multiplied- to create a new manufactured figure. All this is obscured by the large fluid form, with detailing inspired by his 'drowning girl' and natural landscapes. It is the human emotion and depth he could never grasp." Yan Smiley