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.