Video records of Sarah Desmarais cutting a stencil 2017

Video records of stencil cutting in progress as part of Sarah Desmarais's research for the 'Katagami in Practice: Japanese Stencils in the Art School' Arts Council England project. Here she experimented with traditional stencil paper in order to demonstrate the value of experiential engagement with process and materials for understanding artefacts like the katagami stencils. She used traditional stencil material, still available from Japan. Each aspect of the design and making process was explored in detail and the practical and reflective dimensions of the process documented in detailed field notes. These notes were then analysed for their main themes, and served as a springboard for the development of a three-day workshop for students at Middlesex University.