dentures for Toothless...

...did anyone see 'how to train your dragon'? :)

although they probably will not be fit for a dragon, i am planning on reproducing the gums and teeth (essentially, extra large dentures?) for the body double assignment. i was initially drawn to using teeth because they are an alternative way of identifying a body after death- if the individual has become unidentifiable through the typical means. within our class most of us have probably been to the dentist and had x-rays taken of our teeth and therefore also have records of this unique form of identification.

in any case, i plan on using food items to complete this project because i like working with food on thematic and conceptual level in my work. i plan to make the gums out of trident's 'pink bubblegum' - chewing it so that its is malleable and then for the teeth, i am thinking about using garlic cloves, but building them up so that they are size appropriate. another thought is to use corn kernels for the teeth - such as the kernels for popcorn. but! the kernels were a lot more 'rounded' instead of 'square' -not exactly the aesthetic i was going for so i am in the process of drying corn on the cob out to use 'square kernels' (dehydrating the corn is a lot harder than i thought it was going to be though). after moulding the gum into the shape/form of the gums, i plan to press the 'teeth' into the gum and then freeze it so that the gum holds it shape (at least until class i hope!)

i plan to use:

+ trident chewing gum

+ mouths to chew the gum

+ garlic cloves

+ hot glue gun or krazy glue (just in case)

+freezer

++supplies were purchased from target/ralphs or things i already have

any suggestions would be great, thanks! especially on how to make sure the gum keeps it's shape... maybe let it dry out? freeze it? paint it?

- janice m