inflatable torso

[jwgh]

The torso is now inflated, and I have the pictures to prove it. I threw a couple of DVDs into some of the pictures in an attempt to give some sort of sense of scale. If anyone wants to see it (or have custody of it) that should be arranged ...

Here is what remains to be done with Mr. Creepy Inflated Male Torso before Carrie' birthday party a week from Friday:

* A head should be designed and affixed to it. I was thinking that a simple rectangular box could be fine, since it's supposed to be a robot and all.

* Are there any other adjustments that should be made before the papier mache is put on? I was thinking about making the shoulders boxier for instance. Suggestions are welcomed.

* After that, it will be enveloped in papier mache and allowed to dry. This probably has to happen several times. Does anyone have any experience with this sort of thing?

* It should be painted. Black? Silver? Both? Opinions?

* Stuff that would be used to decorate it at the party should be collected. I'm thinking that a hot glue gun is a necessity, as would be washers of various random sizes and sharpies and such. Perhaps spray paint?

All suggestions are welcomed, and if anyone wants to take custody of the torso for a few days and work some magic on it that's for sure pretty awesome, yes.

The pictures follow. They're pretty big.


Here's a front view of the torso.


And here's a rear view.


From the side ...


Here's a front view with a couple of DVDs to provide scale.


Same deal.

Comments

[saucypunk.livejournal.com]

but the burning question is, where did you get a giant inflatable male torso? did they look at you funny?

[jwgh]

Ordered it online: http://www.mannequinstore.com/inflatable.htm

Christy found the website for me. Whee!

[saucypunk.livejournal.com]

that's really frightening. especially that the "female" torsos look like they've got vaginas in the middle of their chests.

[penelope-arcade.livejournal.com]

lol i noticed that too!

[christychristy.livejournal.com]

Oh, it's a male torso. I had imagined a female one with those scary bullet boobs. Let's chat, secretly, ce soir.

[jwgh]

OK, sounds good!

[thenightrainbow.livejournal.com]

um, hey, i have a membership to the recycling for rhode island education center & i don't have morals, so if someone wants to go with me, i can lie & say i'm using whatever we get strictly for educational purposes, & we can stock up some some sweet robotlike materials.

[jwgh]

That sounds fun! Let's do it!

[jwgh]

Hey! Now that I'm thinking of it: When's a good time to do this? I don't have work on Monday -- would you have time then?

[thenightrainbow.livejournal.com]

they're only open wednesday 12-4:30, friday 9-1, saturday 9-1.
i can go tomorrow, wednesday or friday.
& if you can't go with me any of those days/times, i can go alone & just get anything robot-y i see.
let me know! i'm sleeping in tomorrow but i can call you the minute i get up!

[jwgh]

Tomorrow I'm going to be in band practice from 11-1 and will probably be busy dealing with other nonsense before then (and then I'm working during the week), so it sounds like a solo trip!

It was nice to see you at roller derby -- see you again soon!

[jwgh]

I was worried that this would make the robot too top-heavy; it doesn't really have a lot of bulk in the non-head area. I think I will eventually have to add a couple of outriggers to keep it from being too tippy although so far this hasn't been necessary.

Anyway, hopefully the box head looks OK.

[cblax.livejournal.com]

I find it funny that if I wanted to buy a form for myself(knitting, sewing,etc) I would need to buy the "plus size form"

[donutgirl.livejournal.com]

I'm confused! This object is awesome, and I know we're supposed to make it into a robot, but how? I'm still in France, will be until monday... what can I do to aid in the robot-making? What kinds of things do you need?

[jwgh]

This is a good question. I'll probably make another post about this today or tomorrow.

Basically the torso (plus a cubical box for a head) will be covered in papier mache to make a vaguely robotic shape. Then it will be painted silver. This will all be done before the party (well before so it will all be dry).

Then at the party people can draw on it or attach things to it to make it a recognizable (and awesome) robot.

I figure I'll provide stuff like:

* One or two hot glue guns, for the affixing of stuff to the robot.

* Some big washers and other stuff that looks neat at Adler's.

* Sharpies for drawing on the robot.

Other things that could make the robot seem robottier are:

- Small bicycle pieces, especially reflectors

- Television antennae and the like

- Silverware, maybe? Gears from an old alarm clock?

- Metallic or other colored yarn?

Those are some ideas off the top of my head -- other people will probably have better ideas also.

Once the robot is all papier-mache'd up and ready to go I will take pictures of it again and that may make it clearer what would look good on it.

I hope this answers your question! Let me know if not.