Valerie Baber Designs

The Opera Art Project – Aida Opera

I had the most wonderful opportunity this past year to design and make various knitted and crochet pieces for the Opera Art Project. You can find more information about this amazing project on my website:   http://www.vbaberdesigns.com/page25.html  or check out the Alberta Craft Council website at http://www.albertacraft.ab.ca/special-projects/ to view work from the other Artists involved.  This collection above is based on the costume designed for one of the main characters, Aida.

The Opera Art Project is a group of Artists, the Alberta Craft Council Gallery and the Edmonton Opera www.edmontonopera.com  who joined together to design and make various pieces that were  inspired by the costumes, sets and themes of the Edmonton Opera Productions this past year. They were sold at the Edmonton Opera Productions and are currently being sold at the Alberta Craft Council Gallery Store www.albertacraft.ab.ca

Inspiration for the Aida Opera came from the costumes that were part of the two main characters, Aida and Amneris.  It was an amazing production and my first Opera experience.  I must say that I am now hooked on Opera and the Opera Art Project, quite literally that is!  I was surprised how much I enjoyed the Opera, but when you think about it the combination of singing, acting and music is a wonderful experience for all.  There are subtitles so you can understand what is being sung.  Absolutely loved it. The designs below are based on the costume worn by Amneris.

Inspiration can be found almost anywhere.  Look around you today, on the internet, a blast from the past, nature, architecture and more to find what inspires you to try something new.  The colour of a flower, texture of a building, look of a historical piece of clothing or your favourite colour.  Being inspired by your surroundings can catapult you into a new and exciting design world.  What inspired you today, this week, this year?