
Japanese breakfast
Seashell and Waves Scenic Design
Kat Borderud brought forth a creative deck that immediately ignited our theatrical hearts: a giant sculptural shell for Michelle to perform within, with waves curling inward around her. The scenic framed both the artist and the entire stage in a striking, immersive underwater world.
PROJECT
JAPANESE BREAKFAST, 2025
The Melancholy Tour
SERVICES
Technical Drafting
3D Foam Carving
Fiberglass
Digital 3D Modeling

Process Details
It all began with refining the existing shell model we were provided, and digitally sculpting the waves to generate precise cut files for our machines. We thickened the shell, added surface texture, and enhanced the wave forms to accentuate their crests and curvature. From there, we 3D-carved each unit while simultaneously fabricating the metalwork in another corner of the shop.
Every scenic element was engineered with a structural framework designed to endure the demands of a long tour. Paired with large steel set carts, each piece was also hard-coated in a thick epoxy plastic shell to protect the carved foam beneath. Despite the scale of some components, the materials and build methods made them easy to maneuver and quick to assemble.
The base of the shell, where the artist performs, was fiberglassed and sanded for added strength, making the surface fully walkable. After four layers of fiberglass, we applied a thick gel coat that added both durability and visual texture to the final finish.
Once the pieces moved into the paint booth, the vision truly came to life. Shadows and highlights were carefully rendered into the waves to create the illusion of depth and motion. The shell itself took on a naturalistic finish: layered shades of pink, orange, and brown over a white base, evoking the organic beauty of a seashell washed ashore.
This set debuted at the 2025 Coachella Valley Music Festival and continued touring through the year.



THANK YOU
Japanese Breakfast
Kat Borderud
Harrison Fore
Kevin O’Halloran
Photos by Erin Crowley, Justin Cook,
Josh Druding, Rachel Wood
THANK YOU
Japanese Breakfast
Kat Borderud
Kessiah Gordon
Colleen Cristman
Deven Craige
Harrison Fore
Kevin O’Halloran
Photos by
Erin Crowley, Justin Cook, Josh Druding, Rachel Wood







