Students:
Mwad Saleh ’22
BSE – Computer Science
Background:
For EGR250, I had taken a different section of the class and my original partner did not continue with the EGR sequence this semester, so I needed to find myself a project that I would enjoy, would nurture my arts & crafts skills, and provide some service to the broader community. So, I decided to become a Set Director for Silma Berrada’s play: “B+M: The Bittersweet Ballad of Blessed & Messiah”. I was a fan of the script and Silma’s work and the play was open to the broader community, so I decided this would be the perfect project.
Main Goal: Our main goal was to refurbish scrap metal parts of a 1951 Hornet, and make it into the
centerpiece of Silma’s stage, as most of it occurs in and around the vehicle. The following has some images and a couple time-lapse videos of our work on the car:
Scrap metal
Rust OFF, paint ON. We slowly started to remove the rust, sand down the parts, and then spray paint
them into our beautiful red hornet. From left to right you can see a progression in the painting.
Test Drive. Slowly things were starting to come together, we took it out for a ride
Pre-Game. The date fo the first showing was nearing, so we had to take apart our car and rebuild it in the LCA
Game Ready, With some finishing touches (yes there’s a rearview mirror and air freshener). the care and were ready to go.
In action. Our first show day in the LCA
Side Project:
Besides working on the car, I also decided to learn how to etch drawing into copper plates. Fitting the theme of the overall project, I decided to etch a drawing of our 1951 hornet. This took a few weeks overall between sketches and botched etching attempts– I had no experience etching before, and am not the best at sketching. But hey! I learned a decent amount. I also thought it would be a great piece to commemorate my experience building and designing the set.
Sketches
Etching attempt #64: Success?
Inking the Template
Final Product
Tools used:
Building Prop Car:
– Hammer
– Nails
– Saw
– Metal sheets
– Tires
– Rope
– Zip ties
– Sanding Paper
– Spray Paint
– Cardboard
– Duct tape
Etching:
– Carving tools
– Carbon plate
– Acid bath to soak the etched plate
– Ink
More Details:
Link to the play description and event details:
https://www.princeton.edu/events/2022/new-works-festival-b-m-silma-berrada-0
Link to a recording of the play, where you can see the final set design, with our car in action:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/zf2fk4icmlls5nt/AADBFcMB_w9nWx7Tro2cq2bZa?dl=0
Acknowledgments
I would like the TAs, especially Taka, for their patience, understanding, and allowing me to work on this unique project (despite it being outside the maker space). I would also like to thank Silma for trusting me with this role. It was a wonderful experience!