Introducing: Akila, the Fennec-Human -- Project 1
I was sitting at a desk during "Family Time," when the idea of creating a silicone baby came to mind. It amazed me how for my first ever Apollo project, the best idea just seemed to pop right into my head. I was inspired by the art of movie makeup and monster effects, as well as these adorable silicone Avatar babies I'd seen before. I always hoped to own a silicone baby, but I doubted that I would, being that they cost thousands of dollars. I shouldn't have doubted myself, because here I am, a proud owner of a futuristic, hybrid human-fox silicone baby. Besides the baby, I have created a little backstory for her in the form of a baby memory book - which I hand-crafted. The story explains who Akila is and how her and her kind came about. The Hybrid species had become a success in the 3020's.
I am so lucky to be in a school which has such a program where students are able to create amazing things!
I am so lucky to be in a school which has such a program where students are able to create amazing things!
Part 1
Here, I have begun adding the Fennec features with a two-part Apoxie sculpting clay onto a model doll. This was a very frustrating process because the Apoxie is very flimsy. Because of this, the ears kept flopping over and I had to keep adjusting them every hour. I also decided to close her eyes because I wasn't sure how to paint silicone to look like an eyeball.
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Once all of the Apoxie features were added to the model doll, I was able to start making the silicone glove mould. First, of course, I had to spray the baby doll with Ease Release. Then with Dragon Skin Fast, I mixed equal parts and pigmented the layers in either white, red, green, or purple. The different colored layers of silicone lets you know how thick each layer is, and if you plan to cut it, you know how deep you are going.
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After slathering on at least 15 layers of Dragon Skin, I let it cure for a day, and once again, sprayed it with Ease Release. Then, I made the mother mould. The mother mould is used as a hard shell to keep the silicone from pinching or distorting while casting. For the mother mould, I used Free Form Air (another two-part Apoxie). I had to create two different sections of the hard shell because if you curve around any of the edges, you most likely wouldn't be able to take it off. I've also added a handle (this was extremely handy).
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After the mother mould cured, with quite a bit of effort and help from Mr. Walker (another art teacher), we removed the mother mould, cut open the glove mould, and removed the baby doll. I then cleaned out the inside of this silicone skin, sprayed the inside with Ease Release, and prepared for the cast.
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Part 2
Using a cardboard 'frozen pizza' box, I've crafted a little journal. I made one previously as a memory book for my boyfriend, and I loved the style of it. This process is difficult to explain, but I will try my best. With the pizza box, I opened it up flat. Where there was a crease (the edge of the box) I cut out two equal parts that made up the front and back with the bind. I glued (using wood glue - very strong) the two halves together at just the bind. Then I punched equally spaced (usually a half inch works best) holes into the bind. I gathered some paper, cut it to the right dimensions, folded it in half, and punched the same holes in the fold of the paper. Using embroidery thread, I sewed the pages to the book cover. Then I cut out colored cardstock to cover the front, back, and binding, as well as a little closure tab. And voila - there's a book!
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I named my little memory book "Introducing: Akila, the Fennec-Human."
Now, you may wonder, "If this book is from the future, why does it look so antique?" Well, even today, people enjoy decorating with and collecting antiques... so why couldn't that be allowed in the year 3021? People of the Hybrid world are able to express their creativity and opinions much more than people of today's world. |
"Akila was given life on October 2nd, 3021. She is a brand new breed of hybrid humans. She is the combination of homosapien and Vulpes zerda (Fennec Foxes: small and pale, large-eared foxes, native to Northern Africa). Fennecs are known to be highly intelligent, fast, and have excellent hearing. This allows for an advanced being with higher senses and knowledge; she is a being that will strive in an advanced society."
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"The purpose of Akila's kind is to have complex beings who are able to do much more than simple beings. For example, an ordinary human would have a harder time hearing far-away sounds or sensing danger from a far distance. The Fennec-Human has a larger hearing range and sense of smell."
"Other breeds of human-hybrids are being made for the same purposes, but for different skills." |
"Within a week, Akila was already crawling. At three weeks, she was walking. In two months, she was running around the house, faster than ever. In 6 months, she was learning to speak English but was still making fox noises, depending on her mood. It is expected by the time she is two years old that she will be learning things at a 1st grade level. She's got smarts. She's got skill. She's going to grow up to be so successful and appreciated. It is important that she learns to grow and change as science has intended her to."
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By the end of this project, I was so amazed and proud of myself! Many others were as well. My presentation to my teachers went smoothly - they were very impressed! This is by-far one of the best things I have ever created! Biggest thanks to Mr. Grandi, Mr. Ward, and Mr. Wimmer for running the Apollo program and letting this happen!