24. Molly Grundy in collaboration with the participants of TIFF Kids International Film Festival

Some of the city’s youngest art lovers are responsible for this imaginative, film-inspired tutu. Lead by artist and designer, Molly Grundy, children and families attending the 15th annual TIFF Kids International Film Festival in April 2012 contributed their artistic flair to the TIFF Tutu by colouring on 16mm film leader. Following the festival Grundy attached the coloured strips to a wire cage at the tutu’s core, styling and sculpting each one to achieve a wild and animated shape. In addition to showcasing the magic of a child’s imagination, this tutu represents TIFF’s commitment to engaging with children and their families using all forms of the moving image. 

Molly Grundy is a Toronto-based award winning fibre artist, illustrator and arts educator who graduated from the Ontario College of Art and Design. Grundy has worked in everything from costume design, wearable art, illustration, fashion styling, special effects and puppet building for stop motion animation. 

For more information, visit the National Ballet’s Virtual Museum, and the Design Exchange exhibits, 60 Years of Designing the Ballet and The Tutu Project on display from July 11 to Sept 2. 

Photos by Setareh Sarmadi and Marta Ryczko.