Google Weaving Stop-time Project
I am excited to be part of this project which is debuting at the 4th Istanbul Design Biennial in Turkey. The project has been instigated by fellow weaver and artist Emelie Rondahl.
There are about approximately 20 artists and weavers working on the project. Each participant was instructed to do a google image search for 'Textile Labour Turkey'. The first image that came up, is the image that I am wove. It is the image from a news article about Syrian refugee children being used as a labour force. A pretty typical story.
An important part of the project was that the work had to be woven using the Rya style or using a ghiordian /Turkish knot. I have been weaving for a long time but I can say that I have never created a work using this method all over. Always up for a challenge, I threw myself into this project.
Reflections on the making process:
I enjoy having parameters for making. In this case, I didn't have much choice for the image so I was able to concentrate on the construction of the work and the interpretation.
I'm super glad that I got to see some of Emelie's work in real life last year when she had a show in Sydney. My brief inspection of the works assisted my first foray into this style of weaving.
There was a real sense of camaraderie for the project. All of the participants assisted one another via a Facebook group where we asked for technical advice and generally cheered each other along. This was a wonderful aspect especially as the theme of the Istanbul Design Biennial is 'A School of Schools'.
I used over 3000 metres of white wool to weave this work!
Google Weaving Stop Time project was developed by Emelie Rondahl and will form part of the 4th Istanbul Design Biennial from 22 September until 4 November 2018.
