Hindu God Ganesh Costume
by Micheal Zinevich
(Roseville, Michigan. United States)
Hindu God Ganesh Costume
This piece turned out to be a art piece even though its a costume. Its made from 100 percent recycled materials like cardboard, duct tape, carpet underlayment, old curtains, Christmas garland, old jewelery, hangers and more.
My costume is a project that took over 1 1/2 months to complete. It is made of recycled material as I wanted to create something green this year.
The materials I used consist of about 20 recycled cardboard boxes cut up into lotus shapes, and for the foundation of the mask and the pagoda on top of the crown (temple).
To make this costume I used about 6 rolls of recycled old duct tape to shape, mold and, hold the costume together.
To make the trunk of the elephant (Ganesh) I used an old shower hose which I cut up to form the shaft of the trunk. From that point I used recycled carpet underlayment (the foam from under the carpet to make the floor soft). I then cut into pieces to make my one dimensional trunk become a three dimensional trunk.
As for the Tusks, I used a hanger wired cut down to size to bring out the 3 dimensional look. Covered them with duct tape. The same is true for the making the face become more three dimensional. Using foam underlayment to build up the face. This like making a sculpture. Using small pieces to create cheeks, eye bones etc.
To build the crown again I used cut out circles and by building the pagoda (temple) on the crown (if you look at the picture it resembles a cake in shape). I used Plastic hangers to use as tension rods to hold the crown and pagoda forward. Keeping it in a straight alignment from floor to ceiling. I used rope to line the crown, and the pagoda as added decorations.
Then I used old stones, pearls, beads, jewelry, to decorate the cake (pagoda) Crown (temple).
I used a package of old dove plastic wedding birds to add dimension to the crown and painted them in 24 carat gold.
Once the mask was ready, I added caulking over the entire mask to preserve and bind all my materials together. And then added acrylic paint, trim, pins to hold the jewels on to the mask and acrylic varnish.
For the belly part of Ganesh I used the same method of cutting out a template to form the belly and added carpet underlayment with duct tape in same manner as the mask, adding caulking, paint, and varnish to hold it all together. I then added straps to hold the belly into place.
For the shaw, cap, and pants, these materials came from old curtains from when I bought my house. I sewed them together and added old valance tassels to the cap.
The hands for the four handed Ganesh was from an old Halloween costume.
The weight of the costume mask is about 15 pounds. Therefore I needed to make a lighter weight mask for social events. i.e. make a grand entrance and then switch to the social mask...which weighs only less than a 1/2 pound.
This costume truly turned into an art piece when I finished it. It exceeded all that I set out to do to make the costume. I hope everyone can enjoy this original design. From my home to yours. Enjoy.
