deMeng'd, again

Michael  deMeng was in the house this past weekend. He was here last year and we had so much fun that we begged him to come back again this year! (and at the conclusion of this years class,we were begging him to come back next year as well!)

This year we made our own ventriloquist dolls using vintage doll heads. It was really a lot of fun and if you didn't attend, you really did miss out! (yes, rubbing it in!). Each piece was so uniquely different from the next and that's what made it so cool. His techniques are interesting enough, but totally applicable to your own style and whatever makes you happy. (especially if you are one of those students, like me, who don't really pay attention and just sort of drift off into their own world, ha!)

It was a great group and a very laid back casual weekend with lots of laughs, paint, lighting things on fire, pizza, martini's and watching funny old videos and tv clips on you tube. (after hours!)

 

Everyone had their own theme and direction where there ventriloquist doll would take them. There was a native American boy, a Ring Master, a wood imp and even a robot! So as you can see, we had a great time and lots of fun.

Michael is an amazing artist and an amazing teacher. He is patient, kind and makes everyone feel comfortable. He is great at problem solving and allowing our ideas to come to life. We are very grateful to have gotten to spend another weekend with him.

Michael deMeng - back in the house 9/29 & 9/30 2012

Michael will be back again to honor us with more creativity, wit and a bit of his deMented personality. Here's a little blurb from Michael about this years class.

Dement-triloquism-

in case you were wondering, the fear of ventriloquist's dummies is called, automatonophobic (which by the way includes the fear of wax dummies and automatons like Zoltar the fortune teller). I can understand how ventriloquist dolls could illicit terror and trepidation; typically they are a bit creepy looking.

Remember Anthony Hopkins in the film, Magic, whose dummy seemed to have a villainous will of its own? Well in this class, I'm not sure you'll walk away with a self-aware dummy, but you will learn how to make deMented dolls that are capable of flapping their jaws.

You start with a mannequin head, doll head, bust, taxidermy item, etc and then using various found objects, you will adorn and transform them into something rich and strange. Most importantly, your bizarre creation will be rigged so that it has the power to speak.... hopefully not on its own.

Want a bit of phobic inducing inspiration? here are a few films in which dummies come to life:
"Magic", "Dead of Night", "Devil Doll", "Dead Silence" and Twilight Zone episodes: "Caesar and Me" and "The Dummy".

here are the details:

class is Sept. 29 & 30th
fee: $200
location: 1606 oxford lane, Wall, NJ

limited seating:
first come, first serve.
no seats will be held. seats are reserved upon receipt of payment

email inquiries to: keeshagirl4@aol.com


--------------------------------


here's a little video that Michael sent along to enjoy: