[ watch video clip about the object ]

[ Ron talks about changes in the neighborhood ]

Ron owns the comic store Go Joker on Zeedijk. He won this beer holder while competing at a drinking and card tournament, finishing in second place behind his son. While intended to hold beer, it held the brush for his store’s toilet.

The object stands in my studio. I did not do anything with it physically. But I have got an idea to make a costume for the owner. Now I am going to make sketches and research materials. Keywords: Anti-Hero and Spotlight. I will go to see the owner again.

I went to the owner of ugly object again in order to know his character and reasons for running his comic shop. I realized there are a lot of hero comics and anti-hero comics, so I asked him about heroism and what a hero is for him. He stands up for the anti-hero. After some discussion both of us had the same opinion that only a fine line exists between hero and anti-hero. He has supported comic business (sub-culture) for a long time in the red light district. I understand his autonomous spirit.  I started to feel like making him super hero. Below are the inspiration sources and the sketch of a suit that I am going to make. Hopefully I can put the hero suit on him and make a photo.

Hero Suits
beer can, textile, glass, plastic, thread

My original object is a beer holder. The owner, Mr. Ron, received it as prize for winning in Go, a Chinese board game, but he does not have any attachment to it. He even used it as a toilet brush holder. I think he does not have desire to possess objects.

So I did not want to touch the original object. I tried to analyze the form and function of the beer holder instead but it was not enough inspiration to work with. I decided to focus on the character of the owner.

Mr. Ron has supported the comics sub culture for a long time in the red light district. I was able to meet with Mr. Ron several times and ask him many questions about his shop, his life and comics. To all these questions, Mr. Ron gave very kind and patient replies. That is how I found out that Mr. Ron has a liking for anti-heroes. After some discussion, both of us arrived to the same conclusion that only a fine line exists between hero and anti-hero.

I understood Mr. Ron’s autonomous spirit and decided to make him into a super hero/anti-hero. I chose to make armor for his hero image because it often shows up in boy’s comics. It both speaks of protection and fighting; it is part of an innocent desire of many boys. After careful consideration, I picked the business suit textile, gold metal and beer cans to fabricate with. I was attracted to the contrast between these materials’ social connotations.

My recent mission as an artist is to give people unusual experiences (either physical or visual) through adornment. Making these sections of the hero suit completes my recent artistic