
(C) Alex Barron-Hough 2024
AI Angels @Alternative Hair Show 2024
On October 13th, I had the incredible honour of participating as an international Avant-Garde finalist at the Alternative Hair Show, an experience that was both exhilarating and transformative. My creative journey for this piece spanned ten intense weeks, culminating in a sculpture that embodied the theme of evolution—a concept that resonates deeply with our contemporary understanding of identity, beauty, and technology.
#### The Inspiration Behind the Sculpture
The theme of evolution led me to reflect on the changing aesthetics of women and how, over the years, we have started to morph into similar looks through our choices in beauty and fashion. The influence of social media and the accessibility of aesthetic enhancements have set unrealistic expectations, especially for young girls. With the rise of artificial intelligence and digital art, our perceptions of beauty are rapidly changing, often blurring the lines of individuality.
To express this in my sculpture, I aimed to create multiple faces within one cohesive piece, integrating digital elements that brought these faces to life. Digital artist Permi Jhooti played a crucial role in this process by helping me with the digital art that complemented my vision. This collaboration allowed us to explore the intersection of traditional artistry and modern technology, further emphasising the theme of evolution in our work. The vision required not only artistic skill but also a strong engineering foundation to support the weight of such a large structure. I meticulously crafted a framework using hair and wire cages, ensuring that it could withstand the demands of the show.
#### The Big Day: Transporting the Sculpture
The day of the event was filled with a mix of excitement and nerves. Transporting a large sculpture to London from my home town in Canterbury, presented its own set of challenges. Fortunately, my partner devised a clever solution: we used a camping trolley to transport the piece, which proved to be a lifesaver. With the help of my assistant Grace, we navigated the journey on the train with our hefty creation, which turned into a humorous adventure in itself.
Arriving at the Roundhouse in Camden, London, I was met with gasps of surprise from fellow artists and attendees at the sheer size of my sculpture. It was a moment of pride to see my vision come to life, and I was grateful for the support of my wonderful friend and excellent makeup artist, Fabio. He helped create an incredible makeup look that perfectly complemented my sculpture and was instrumental in assisting me with putting the entire masterpiece together on Meg, my model, who has modelled for me for many years and was accustomed to carrying heavy sculptures.
#### The Transformation: Creating a Masterpiece
With only a few hours to prepare for the show, the adrenaline kicked in as we worked together to transform Meg into the embodiment of my artistic vision. Watching everything come together was a thrilling experience, and seeing Meg walk the catwalk in my creation was a moment I will never forget. Although the moment was fleeting, it was incredibly rewarding to witness my AI angel illuminated on stage, showcasing the digital elements I had embedded within the sculpture, thanks to Permi’s artistic contributions.
#### Reflecting on the Experience
While I didn’t win the competition, I left the event feeling accomplished and proud to be among the top 13 specialists in the world. This experience was more than just about achieving a trophy; it was about raising awareness for individuality and empowerment among young girls. I hope to inspire them to embrace their uniqueness and not feel pressured to conform to societal standards of beauty at such a young age.
The Alternative Hair Show was a celebration of creativity, innovation, and the evolving nature of art and identity. I am grateful for the opportunity to share my vision and engage with a community that values the transformative power of hair and beauty. This journey has only fuelled my passion for creating and advocating for authenticity in an ever-changing world. Here’s to continuing to explore the intersection of art, technology, and individuality!
If you would like to learn how to create sculptures for any up and coming hair awards or just to unleash your creativity, get in touch. Click to see my upcoming courses.