Tuesday 6 August 2013

Weddings

My tag was inspired by BODAS DE SANGRE (Blood Wedding), which was written by the Spanish poet, dramatist, and theater director, Federico García Lorca.  García Lorca was a master in using metaphors and symbols to convey meanings behind his work, which is often filled with social criticisms about the culture at that time.  In BODAS DE SANGRE, García Lorca deals with the desires, repression, and constraints in a rural Spanish community, and how they lead to death.  I remember reading this play in preparatory school, watching the play with my wife when we were dating, and most recently, reading it with each of my daughters when they took advanced Spanish in High School. Therefore, even though it's a tragic story, I have fond memories of it.


Since I wanted a stark vintage feel, I used a very limited color palette to design my tag.  I created the background by printing portions of the original text, distressing it, and adding some "blood" stains with ink.  I designed the Spanish style dress using scraps of ribbon and lace, as well as a miniature string of pearls.  For my embellishments, I used tissue tape; made a hand painted rose using a Tim Holtz tattered pinecone die; cut a photograph of García Lorca using a stamp punch; and hand cut a banner.  I hand wrote Flores Rotas (Dead Flowers) on the banner, because that's the phrase García Lorca used to describe the eyes of the dead in this play.  I tied a strip of distressed jute cord as topper to finish the tag. To stage my tag for the photograph, I used a Spanish embroidered shawl, tortoise peineta, and hand painted fan that my mother got when she and my late father travelled in Spain circa 1970.

I hope you like my tag as much as I enjoyed making it.  I also highly recommend that you read this and other Federico García Lorca's literary works, which are recognized internationally.  Blessings!

21 comments:

  1. WOW,WOW,WOW...What a fabulous tag...Love the vintage feel...Wonderful background Amazing dress form & Gorgeous lace... Love it all.... Hugs May x x x

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  2. Love your tag, and I loved that book, too! Valerie

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  3. Really fine work! Love the background!

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  4. this is a completely stunning tag in every detail. WOW. genuis work. xo

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  5. A brilliant tag, must try and read the book now.

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  6. Your dress is amazing, and I see that gorgeous Tim Holtz influence. Beautifully done.

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  7. What a stunning tag Arnoldo. I think you could be a wedding dress designer :0)

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  8. I loved that book! The tag is intriguing, beautifully done. I especially like the bright, beautiful dress transposed on the dark, deep background. When your daughters marry, you should design their dresses.

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  9. I certainly do like this tag, Arnoldo! Thanks for the info on the source of your inspiration; love her pearl necklace!
    Sue xx

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  10. An amazing tag with the wonderful background and super dress.

    Chrissie x

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  11. Stunning and dramatic - so talented! Carolyn xx

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  12. Your tag is just fabulous and perfectly stage and I really enjoyed reading about your inspiration :o)

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  13. Dark, moody and with meaning! I like that Arnoldo!

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  14. Amazing Tag. I love the dress.
    I have never heard of this poet you are so inspired by.
    Guess I am going to have to check it out...lol!

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  15. What a stunning tag! Is there no part of crafting you have not mastered Arnoldo? The dress shows real tailoring skills and I love it. The poet sounds like someone I should investigate, thank you. X

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  16. I'm really intrigued; will have to check out his books. Your tag is absolutely stunning and your attention to detail apparent. Inspired tag!

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  17. Oh dear, I commented days ago, but my computer must have glitched! This is just perfection, Arnoldo! It's intellectual, interesting, and quite beautiful! (And you have made this English major want to read Garcia Lorca!) BRAVO to you!

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  18. So beautiful - what an exquisite tag and love your inspiration.

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  19. Great work and story with it iteresting

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  20. Stunning work Arnold. I love that so much thought goes into your wonderful creations. I would happily wear that beautiful wedding dress!

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