Monday, December 15, 2008

Yoshiko reflects on the ISS & WSN

The following is an excerpt of an email response written by Yoshiko to a longtime WSN supporter. This person asked Yoshiko to offer some of her own personal thoughts on the ISS and to share her perspective on the event as its Co-Chair and as WSN President. With Yoshiko's permission, I post it here for everyone to read. She writes:

My focus on our symposia is always on how to create a gathering of creative minds where everyone feels ownership in what we organize. The event and opportunities should be reciprocal and gratifying for all involved. I wish we had more time at the MdQB plenary sessions for the audience and presenters to exchange views and explore the subjects further. I hope frank expression of opinions and correction of facts should be allowed.

Reflections:
RE:natural dyes: After our experience in Provence, especially after talking with
Barbara Barois, Director of the Conservatoire des Ocres et Pigments Appliques, it became clear to me that it would be more appropriate to address "Natural Colorants: Dyes and Pigments" to view the dyes in a larger context.

And also studying with Michel Garcia. This made made me realize that artists, artisans and designers need to fortify ourselves with the understanding of chemistry and we need to approach the art of natural dyeing with analytical mind.

From our experience in France: Between all these great people (Dominique Cardon, Michel Garcia, Anne de la Sayette, Isabel Brouillet, Pauline Duponchel de Bary, and Roussillon Ochre Conservancy (Conservatoire des Ocres et Pigments Appliques) and Association de Couleur Garance in Lauris), you/we all have so much more perspective on this. It was wonderful to see the dye plants at the garden in Lauris.

(ed note: this was in response to a specific comment about the artist) RE: Genevieve Dion: yes, many people were enthusiastic about her vision. We need to always redefine what we do, where we are, and where we want to be -- especially in educating the young people as well as ourselves. You see, we, including you, are truly shaping our field and community together. This is not only about cloth. The Jacquard and Entrepreneurial conference sounds very interesting. The designing of fashion and interior furnishings begins where the designer can create the canvas with the understanding of the entire process all the way to the end-products.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Web revamp

Hey all,
We've been silent here for a while because we've been focusing our attention on revamping our website for www.shibori.org. Why? We wanted an easier platform for in-house updates. Closer control means better content for you, timely updates and a richer website. We're also rethinking some aspects of the site (special web membership access) and other excellent things to make this not-for-profit, volunteer-run organization function more smoothly and efficiently.

In the meanwhile, you can see some new ISS08 pic uploads to our flickr and here are some additional feedback comments from Barbara S and Sara K. THANKS, Friends! If you are not yet on our mailing list but want to be, click here

Barbara S writes:
Dear Peter and Yoshiko,
ISS France 08 was just outstanding. You provided us with a very inclusive and informative event and the best of French food, wine and culture! Thank you so much.

Sara K writes:
I thoroughly enjoyed the symposium and would like to thank everyone who was involved with the organisation for such a diverse and interesting programme. I look forward to the next one!.......

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Gunma Silk + NZ merino wool

This note from Deb Donnelly offers some nice feedback about the ISS and it also raises a common question we repeatedly receive: how to purchase Gunma silk. So read on for our response. And, if you're ever curious to find the best NZ merino wool, Deb is a great resource. She specializes in textile design for fabric prints and fashion using natural dyed merino wool, fine silk cloth and hi-tech garments & fibers.

From Deb:

A note to say how much I enjoyed the wonderful textile and visual
experiences you and Peter put together for the tour of France at ISS08.
It was exceptional not to mention the location and I have made a number
of technological advances, finds, treasures and future teaching contacts.
I now look forward to being the NZ shibori rep and three upcoming
exhibitions to celebrate our National Day in NZ on 6 February.
This means sampling wool and silk treatments for dye and shibori
experiments in the coming months. My request to you is how do I purchase Japanese gunma silk by yardage? Do you have any in stock? How much is it? I am also happy to advise shibori artists on the best NZ merino wool supplies for fine felt shibori and nuno works.


Well, Deb (and others): you can purchase meterage of gunma silk (a specialty silk with sericin that responds incredibly well to shibori) through our office. Stock fluctuates so it's always best to inquire directly with the office. Prices are not available online yet but we're working on a separate website / online shop for these such purposes. You can email us at:

orders [at] yoshikowada [dot] com

Monday, December 1, 2008

More: ISS08 feedback

Belated Happy Thanksgiving to our fellow American friends! Wanted to share more feedback from folks across the globe. It is really great to hear how worthwhile the ISS was for those of you who were able to make it. We know that to travel so far, and especially in these economic times, was a big commitment for you and, as well, a huge uncertainty for us and for PAA. It's really helpful to hear about your experiences so thank you for sharing them. Today's messages come from Mary Mortenson (USA), Clara Schreiber (USA) and Yvonne Wakabayshi & Cindy Do (Canada).

Mary writes:
I want to express my gratitude for all that you did to make the International Shibori Symposium so incredible. You both are incredible and made it possible for us to have experiences we would never have otherwise had. It was very special and memorable. - Mary

Clara:
Thank you again Yoshiko and Peter for a wonderful experience!

Yvonne writes:
Cindy and I are home reflecting on our ISS08 experience and we both were so happy to be there to take advantage of all the programs and events. In the short time, we can say that we managed to do so much and enjoyed all of it...the plenary sessions, the many exhibitions, all of it..... Oh yes...all the food! It was Cindy's first time in Paris and she even took advantage of free time to use the Museum pass and Metro pass to see all that she dreamed of.....ex Mona Lisa (no line-ups) etc etc. Thanks for all the details of organizing (with Peter) many many details. Both the stay in Lyon and Paris were much more than we expected. We both thank you and Peter for your dedicated work in the planning of such an event. We are very appreciative and now I will try to share much of what I have learned with students and fellow shibori enthusiasts. Thank you again and when you are in touch with Peter, please thank him for us too. - Yvonne & Cindy

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Rin Ikeda & Barbara Shapiro

Barbara Shapiro forwarded a few pics from the ISS event last month. Here's a great one of her (R) with Rin Ikeda (L) taken at the musee du quai Branly "MQB" during the Paris symposium.

Rin was featured in the
Presentation des Artistes/ Defile (runway show) on Nov 8 where she showed off her elegant fashions made of gambiered (mud dyed) silk from Guangdong, China. Barbara, a WSN web member and a TSA Board member, demonstrated “Hexagonal plaiting for sculptural work” as part of the Paris courses held at the PAA. Barbara’s French translation skills also came in very handy! Thanks for being at the ready, Barbara.

photo courtesy of Barbara Shapiro

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Greetings from Sophena in Canada


We received a really nice note from Sophena Kwon and Danielle Bush, delegates from Canada who represented Maiwa Handprints at the ISS this year. Sophena writes:

I haven't stopped talking, and hope never will, of our incredible trip around france with you and many other wonderful people. Our hearts are full, our minds are stimulated and energized, our souls are deeply deeply happy. The whole experience made such an impact on both mine and dani's life. I wanted you to know this. Thank you! Here are some photos I know you will like.

"Design Shibori" travels to UK

"Design Shibori," the int'l juried student exhibition for ISS is traveling to a few venues following the premiere at ENSAD in Paris. We are pleased to announce the exhibitors chosen for the Harrogate, UK show:
1) Anna Bramhall "Indigo on Organza" (UK)
2) Mustafa Kula "Mediterranean Traces" (Turkey)
3) Alice Egler & Sonia Dupont "Briques de laine et teintures rythmiques" (France)
4) Sally Blake "Same, same, but different" (Australia)
5) Ranghui Guo & Guoxiang Yuan "Yanshui" (China)
6) Haruko Goto "Kasane" (Japan)
7) Sarah King (UK)

Monday, November 24, 2008

It's always nice to hear

We've been receiving some great ISS08 feedback through our online comment card. Thought I'd post a few of them here. If you have thoughts you'd like to share - positive and negative, please do. It only takes 2-3 minutes.

"Still recovering, but a mighty thanks to everyone for a wonderful experience." - Susan F.M., Australia

"Wow! what a great event. It was informative, inspiring and crammed full of new and innovative approaches to resist dyeing. It was wonderful to meet so many artists and textile lovers from all parts of the globe. the food, accommodation and events were all enjoyable. my 3 day workshop with Ana Lisa and Jean offered me new and interesting challenges in resist dyeing techniques that I can't wait to experiment with. A big thankyou to all who assisted with organising the event, especially to Peter and Yoshiko." - Cathy M., Australia

"This is an email for Peter Carman: I really appreciated the help of your students for the fashion show. They were cooperative patient and helpful -and a great reflection of the Paris American Academy. Bravo!I would like to mention the tireless and hardworking Isaac Moussa-he had worked backsatge and all day on the 8th November from 8am. He helped to get drinks for the models and was always ready to support others. A special thank you to you as well!! You were busy when I called in to say goodbye-you were a great compere as well. Many thanks." -Patricia B., Sweden


Keep 'em coming!

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Design Shibori student exhibition

Forgive the lo-res scans but wanted to quickly post a few pics from the lovely catalogue created for the juried international student exhibition, "Design Shibori" - le premier councours international d'ecoles d'art (27 Oct-8 Nov 2008) hosted by ENSAD for the ISS. Congratulations to the wonderfully imaginative student artists and kudos to the photographer whose images are beautiful and visually provocative. ENSAD was not selling the catalogues so we were happy to have received a few copies. If you have pics of the installation, please share them. We'll see if we have time to scan better images and throw them on to flickr or something.

Acknowledgements noted in book:
THANK YOUs
: Yoshiko Iwamoto Wada, Nancy Salumbides, Marie-Hélène Guelton, Peter Carman, Jean-Michel Ageron-Blanc, Sharon Kilfoyle, Diane Sparks, Michelle Griffiths, Liz Williamson, Veronika Moos, Marine Biras, Shukuko Voss-Tabe, Hiroko Watanabe, Kinor Jiang.
CREDITS: Patrick Raynaud (directeur de la publication); Colette Martin (commissaire de l'exposition); Steen Halbro (scé
nographe); Shuntao Chen (création graphique et mise en page Photographie)


L-R: Top row: Saito Tomoko, untitled (tama art university, jpn); Roisin Cagney, "this is not just sushi" (national college of art & design, ireland); Bottom row: Andonimouttou Florie, "papier non tisse mobile" (ENSCI-ANAT, france); Sally Blake, "same, same but different" (univ new south wales, australia).

ISS08 Event Statistics

Full conference tour: Provence 4 nights - Lyon 2 nts - Paris 5 nts

Oct 30 marked the first official day of activities in Provence. Some travelers arrived a day or two earlier to settle in and recupe after travel. In total, Provence welcomed 54 registrants from near and far (mostly far!). Areas visited in the south of France include: the region of Provence - Luberon - Apt, Goult, Aix-en-Provence, Lourmarin, Avignon, and the region of Languedoc-Roussillion - Nime, Tarascon, Lauris.

Next stop: Lyon. Depending on which tour package you were on, the Lyon leg started either Nov 2 or 3. Attendees enjoyed a number of auxiliary exhibitions throughout Lyon which featured ISS artists and other textile related artworks. Plenary sessions took place at the Universite Lumiere Lyon 2, 9:30-16:00. Total registrants = 125 ppl.

Final destination: Paris. This final leg began Nov 4 or 5, again depending which tour. Workshops & demonstrations were held on the 6+7 at Paris American Academy, our event partner. The 2-day symposium program (plenary & activities) was hosted at the musee du quai Branly, Nov 8-9; the public was offered tickets to the evening program on the 8th. Total registrants = 328ppl.

Countries represented: USA, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, France, UK, Ireland, Germany, Chile, Finland, China, Taiwan,Turkey, Belgium, Switzerland, Norway, Italy, Canada, Sweden, India, Mali, Argentina, Holland, Denmark.Total = 24 countries

For details (eg exhibitions, workshops, speakers, etc), check our ISS08 website

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Email contacts: provence

We heard from some of you on the Provence tour that you'd like to share email contacts with your fellow travel companions. We'll work on getting that info from PAA. Thanks for the comments.

Monday, November 17, 2008

We're back from the 7th ISS'08

The 7th International Shibori Symposium 2008 has just completed its whirlwind tour & conference through Provence, Lyon and Paris. We're working on our follow-up report (attendees, countries represented, etc) and will be adding photos from our time in France with our friends from all over the globe. Send us some of your digital pics or a link to your online slideshow (if you want to set one up, try flickr -- easy & free). We've also posted an ISS feedback page and mailing list request if don't mind taking a few moments to send us your valuable comments.

Send your pics to iss08register [at] gmail [dot] com
No hi-res images accepted. 72 dpi only.
*"at" and "dot" are spelled out simply to evade spam

Getting started

Hi, we're just getting this blog started. We'll be using this place to post informal announcements and other topics about WSN, shibori, textile friends and other related topics we think you might like. Eventually we will be moving our website shibori.org to a more user-friendly platform but that's to come in due time. In the meantime, bookmark this blog or go to the top right-hand nav menu and subscribe to our RSS feed if you use GoogleReader, yahoo or etc! Thanks for staying up-to-date with us.