euphonium96 Posted February 6, 2010 Author Share Posted February 6, 2010 First , this is NOT an original idea. I heard of this idea being talked about 5 hears ago.second . why the same colors ? you want to give every individual a slightly different look but all colors are the same ? why ??? go to a Broadway play. Are all the colors the same ? Hey! Great inquiry... I'm personally glad these ideas have been talked about and in a few cases, followed-through with... But please note that I have not claimed that this project or the idea behind it was by and means "original" - if you're still looking for originality in this or any creative/performing activity, you're a few decades too late... It's all about hybridity and re-contextualization in the here and now anyways - that is: Taking the old and reconfiguring it to be "new"; cross-pollinating philosophies from the East and intermingling with the look of the West, etc. - to name a few examples of creativity in so-called "Post-Modernity"... Besides which, between my initial post and the first few following it, I believe we've established a decent lineage for this idea through the DCI years... So, no: This isn't about trying to be the first or best-most original. Achieving originality is a myth, IMO! I've found that there are two kinds of uniform viewers: Those who look for spiffy little touches (details) and those who care quite deeply for "big picture" m&m effect, best seen from on-high... The crucible of uniform design is an attempt at reaching compromise between those oft conflicting lines of thought. As such, my rationale behind "general uniformity" in colors is for the exact reason so many people have been and will be frustrated when confronted by the concept: Those hi-cam and upper box level views! In most of the things I make, uniform or otherwise, identity (character) is crucial, but function (effect) is right up there... In general, I gave each of the sample ensembles herein a dark maroon/brown"ish" brick red upper with white and gold accents and off-white/cream bottoms. With regard to my initial statement, I reiterate: From more than a few feet away, it should, in theory, look relatively uniform - or perhaps enough so as to not be overwhelmingly offensive... And as for theatrical costuming, yes - it can be monochromatic, if the creative direction calls for it. In this context however, I wanted to simultaneously preserve an aspect of the current/traditional outfit while proposing a dramatic departure based on an as-yet loose show theme... You know? That third element one finds in my work: FUN! Thanks for reading... -TGB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
euphonium96 Posted February 6, 2010 Author Share Posted February 6, 2010 The OP's idea has already been somewhat realized in the Cadets' guard uniforms starting way back in 1989, 1990,1994,1995,2000, etc... Check out the individualized aspects of their guard uniforms.I guess he may want this to extend into the whole corps? How about Sky Ryders' 1987 West Side story? That's sort of one step removed from individualized uniforms, but it's getting closer with 3 different corps uniforms and then the guard uniforms. Stars '89 guard uniforms wore highlander and lowlander uniforms. You're right, it's not a new idea, but it's not an idea that has been fully realized in DCI to date. MAybe it could be fun for a season! F U N That's key, friend - FUN - It's seems to be THE "F-word" in all creative activity these days - few designers, coordinators, instructors, etc. seem to do anything "just for fun" anymore... I happen to think we can still have an enjoyable time performing in, watching, adjudicating, sponsoring, patronizing, writing about, and just being part of activity. Do we need to be responsive and demonstrate creative and mental growth - sure! Can that process be enjoyable at several levels and to performers and multiple audiences? Absolutely! Right on... Thanks! -TGB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
euphonium96 Posted February 6, 2010 Author Share Posted February 6, 2010 One thing costume-type uniforms could also do is really expand drill possibilities, since if the guard and corps match, the forms can get even bigger to the eye.In some ways, that's full circle to back in the day when the guard had variants of corps proper uniforms, now just in reverse. Mike Indeed! It's a "de-contextualizing" of traditional uniformity - an attempt to remove performer and audience from their settled "comfort zone" - again, in the spirit of "just for fun" - and, for this instance, to go against convention and turn expectations sideways, if not completely upside-down... Thanks! -TGB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
euphonium96 Posted February 6, 2010 Author Share Posted February 6, 2010 Let me bring some perspective to this:If the "uniform" is not prescribed by an armed forces regulation, it isn't a military uniform, it's a military-inspired costume. Fact. The only military uniforms are those approved for wear by branches of the armed forces. In the budding realm of military exhibition drill, there is a similar debate since individuals and teams have begun moving away from standard issue uniforms - especially when the individual/group is not directly affiliated with the military or a para-military program such as JROTC/ROTC. These new uniforms are NOT military uniforms; they are military-inspired costuming worn in a uniform fashion from member to member. It is a uniform, yes. No drum and bugle corps wears a military uniform. Not even the Cadets or Troopers. While both originated as military uniforms, neither are today. Sorry guys, no drum corps has worn a truly military uniform for years. The "military" uniforms of today ARE costumes already. And I haven't seen a drum corps render a proper salute in years. Nor a properly set-up color guard (some people would ignorantly refer to this as an "honor guard" in drum corps). Frankly, this isn't a military activity. It just likes to pretend it is sometimes. Hope you don't mind me using your post for my reply - It's a darned good one - let me know if you're at DCI this summer; we have much to discuss! Anyhow... For the rest of you: A couple of folks have been back-and-forward on this uniform-costume thing for some time now, in this and other threads - I want to get some thoughts in here, and DrillmanSop's post makes some solid and logical statements... However: With no precise, distinct point of origin in antiquity or history, some scholars (Kannik, Martin, North, et. Al) refer to the garments worn by any military unit as "military costuming"... So wrap your mind around that! I agree that there are "official" and "standardized" attires within state and academic institutions... But even these uniforms have their roots in civilian attire - which is, in turn the root for costuming as well - so... Whether you want to call it costume, a uniform or, more academically, a "military costume", they all share a common ancestor in civilian wardrobe of Western Europe. (I realize this statement privileges White European Tradition; maybe there are other books I have yet to get to that discuss African, Eastern, and Asian military costuming history - please cite if known!) The point is this: The style of "Uniforms" worn by any army at any time were always and will always be influenced in some measure by "civilian tastes" - necessity, geography, climate, and functionality not withstanding! Now... Here then is the underlying thesis behind my maddening project: What if the idea of uniformity were rooted in Euro-American metropolitan civilian trends? What if uniformity had its roots in early 21st Century? Do my sketches then propose an alternate uniform history? Or is this a literal full-circle return to civilian attire as "uniform" or, "military costuming"? Thanks for discussing... -TGB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRASSO Posted February 7, 2010 Share Posted February 7, 2010 Hope you don't mind me using your post for my reply - It's a darned good one - let me know if you're at DCI this summer; we have much to discuss! Anyhow... For the rest of you: A couple of folks have been back-and-forward on this uniform-costume thing for some time now, in this and other threads - I want to get some thoughts in here, and DrillmanSop's post makes some solid and logical statements... However: With no precise, distinct point of origin in antiquity or history, some scholars (Kannik, Martin, North, et. Al) refer to the garments worn by any military unit as "military costuming"... So wrap your mind around that! I agree that there are "official" and "standardized" attires within state and academic institutions... But even these uniforms have their roots in civilian attire - which is, in turn the root for costuming as well - so... Whether you want to call it costume, a uniform or, more academically, a "military costume", they all share a common ancestor in civilian wardrobe of Western Europe. (I realize this statement privileges White European Tradition; maybe there are other books I have yet to get to that discuss African, Eastern, and Asian military costuming history - please cite if known!) The point is this: The style of "Uniforms" worn by any army at any time were always and will always be influenced in some measure by "civilian tastes" - necessity, geography, climate, and functionality not withstanding! Now... Here then is the underlying thesis behind my maddening project: What if the idea of uniformity were rooted in Euro-American metropolitan civilian trends? What if uniformity had its roots in early 21st Century? Do my sketches then propose an alternate uniform history? Or is this a literal full-circle return to civilian attire as "uniform" or, "military costuming"? Thanks for discussing... -TGB I like this thread. It's an indepth thread on threads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
euphonium96 Posted February 8, 2010 Author Share Posted February 8, 2010 (edited) Now that we've shared and discussed non-uniform uniformity, I'd like to take a moment to invite anyone and everyone to attend the Texas Music Educators Conference in San Antonio this week - I'm unveiling another project which uses the Cadet-style archetypal uniform base for a study in subtlety... Also - any fans of Russian Supermatism should find the project quite interesting! Anywho, hope to see some of you at TMEA later this week! -TGB Edited February 8, 2010 by euphonium96 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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