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.