Jen Jackson 8/2/11
Mounties, As I was searching for a solution to some uniform display issues, I happened upon the polyethylene mannequin found at the link below. Knowing that polyethylene is archival- it seems like these forms would be an extremely cost effective solution for uniform display (although they will have to be modified for each uniform size-wise). However, just to cover all of my bases- I was thinking about oddy testing the form. Does anyone have a good source for oddy testing of unknown substances?
-Jen Jackson
Philip Brutz
8/2/11
Nice find! Jim Williams at the Kent State University Museum has a very cool knee and elbow joint that can be adjusted after the mannequin is dressed. It looks like it wouldn't be that difficult to cut out the elbows and knees and then insert the adjustable joint into the opening. If the mannequin is not going to be in a sealed case you may not need to have it Oddy test. But if need to have it tested just cut a small piece of it and have that tested.
Philip Brutz Mountmaker Cleveland Museum of Art 11150 E. Blvd. Cleveland OH 44106 (216)707-2617
Jamie Hascall
8/2/11
From what I can see from the web site, it's an interesting mannequin construction using the polyethylene. My main concern is less the material than the sizing of the individual you cited. At 6'2", 38" chest, and a 30" waist, he's kind of a long, and lean model. It will be a pretty specific historic garment that would work on this form. This has been the persistent problem with using commercial mannequins for the garments that populate our collections. Sadly, there don't seem to be any alternate sizes and I'm not sure how easy these might be to modify. I'd recommend you call the supplier and see if there might be other sizes available and any further alternatives they have. Please get back to the group with what you find out.
Good Luck, Jamie Hascall Chief Preparator Museums of New Mexico Exhibits Santa Fe
Philip Brutz
8/2/11
I have had to cut mannequins in half with the band saw and then reassemble them because of this problem. I have attached a photo of me doing it.
Philip Brutz Mountmaker Cleveland Museum of Art 11150 E. Blvd. Cleveland OH 44106 (216)707-2617
Jen Jackson 8/2/11
Cool Picture! I have ordered 4 forms to play around with. I will certainly try to get in touch with Jim Williams regarding the movable joints, as that would be a great help. I am going to try to cut the mannequin in half and insert a sizing system-something like internal turnbuckles that you would find on a dress form. It seems difficult, but I am hoping that the end product will save us tons of effort and money in the long run. I'll take lots of photos and if it all works out I will aim at presenting at one of our future mount conventions. I'm sure it will be a lot of work, but I am excited to give it a try.
Suzi McG 8/2/11
I believe this is the same kind of mannequin that we used at the Computer History Museum to display a pacemaker. He is rather tall, but fortunately it wasn't too difficult to cut. The mannequin had a hole cut out in his chest for the pacemaker to sit in. He wasn't inside a case so Oddy testing wasn't an issue, but please let us know what you find out.
Jamie Hascall
8/2/11RE: [mountmaking-forum] Re: polyethylene forms
I hadn't considered using the shell as an adjustable plate system. That opens up a very interesting group of possibilities. It still leaves problems with the scale/length of body segments, but considering it's very thin for it's height, you just might be able to bring to a reasonable proportion of height and width. Shoulder width will be a key consideration.
Jamie
(Watching Phillip makes me think there's a repressed magician in there somewhere.)
Philip Brutz
8/2/11
RE: [mountmaking-forum] Re: polyethylene forms
I think it is a great idea. I have attached a photo of my brainstorm idea. Try cutting a series of vertical oval slits in a 5 gallon bucket and then wrap a Velcro strap around it to pull in the waist. If it works then you can try it on the mannequin.
Philip Brutz Mountmaker Cleveland Museum of Art 11150 E. Blvd. Cleveland OH 44106 (216)707-2617