Colorful Wings
These wings were used in a small touring production of The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. They are designed to be puppeted by one to two actors. Here you will find my design process for these wings.
Drafting Process
My design is inspired by the appearance of sunlight through stained glass and is intended to be backlit on stage.
Drafting a pattern for the articulated wings frame and movement with wire, wood, and tissue paper; experimenting with the position of the string which pulls the wings into place when opened
Testing feathers made of layered vinyl sticker sheets and tissue paper against a window for the appearance of various feather patterns
First Prototype
This video shows the movement in the initial draft of the wings.
Final Materials and Construction
Wooden frame and wooden dowels, stained gray
The feathers are made of vinyl sheets that laminate tissue paper and are secured to the wooden dowels with heavy-duty packing tape
The feathers hang freely from their attachment point when the wing is closed, and when opened, fishing line pulls the feathers into place
Wooden dowels, stained gray
Front view of wing, closed
Front view, half opened
Front view, fully opened
Back view of wing, closed
Back view, fully open
Final Design
Wing fully opened, about 4 feet long from tip to handle
Wing with backlight
Production at Lawrence University
On tour at an elementary school