Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Conference: State of Design (15-25 Jul '09 Melbourne, AUS)

In looking through the State of Design conference happening next month in Melbourne (see previous post), I saw some really great public events. I've only been to Australia but once yet I have to say, my impression of Melbourne was far better and more impressive than Sydney (sorry, Sydney, but you get plenty of love as it is). Melbourne is a creative, vibrant, blossoming place seemingly full of people doing and making and thinking surprising things. So if you're in the area in July, stop by and check it out (and report back here!)

Here's one event of many I thought would intrigue you, dear readers, and is all the more interesting because it aligns with our own philosophy & encouragement of Slow Fiber ™.


The World of Small Things:
An Exhibition of Craft

Presented by Craft Unbound
click here for event details

19 June - 25 July
(open Mon 12p-5p, Tu-Sat 10a-5p)

Craft Victoria, 31 Flinders Lane
Melbourne

The world is changing. Countries that previously were the storehouse of traditional crafts are now developing their own design capacities to serve their expanding internal markets. Consumers read labels more closely to ensure that their purchase does some good in the world. Questions about the course of globalisation prompt a return to the tangibility of objects.

This exhibition will include products, art works and background information about what has emerged from recent craft-design collaborations. These collaborations involve application of traditional craft techniques in new forms or with new materials. As well as these fascinating stories of product design, the exhibition will also focus on the growing trend of ‘ethical consumerism’. This trend is placed in the context of climate change and the fresh dialogues between first and third worlds about the reduction of carbon emissions. How can we sustain and grow the market for world craft? What are its sources of vulnerability and how can we overcome them?

The World of Small Things is an exhibition designed to explore the variety of dialogues between cultures that are currently being practiced in the craft field.

Monday, June 22, 2009

Exhibition: "Scupltured Packages RESHAPED" (16-18 Jul 09, Melbourne)

Our Melbourne friends, Denise & Peter of S!X, wrote in to say they are re-staging "Sculptured Packages," an exhibition they originally curated in Paris (at the stunning L'Eclaireur, Cabinet de Curiosite) as part of the ISS'08 symposium. This upcoming installation will show works by a new roster of artists and is being held as part of Victoria's Design Festival, "State of Design," held in the wonderful city of Melbourne.

"Sculptured Packages - RESHAPED"
Presented by S!X, assisted by Leah Muddle, Milly Sleeping

16-18 July (12 noon - 6p)
Von Haus (upstairs), 1A Crossley Street
MELBOURNE
- FREE -

Contemporary practitioners working in architecture, textiles
and fashion experiment with traditional Japanese shibori
techniques to produce a series of packages newly arrived in
the post, torn open, and scattered about the space.
Closing Saturday 18 July, 3pm, all welcome.


What is boro?

Here's a great video clip (~17min) of Yoshiko and Kim Schuefftan* discussing, identifying and showing examples of different boro. There's a lot of great information to learn here. It's also fun to watch Yoshiko and Kim banter about with one another.
*Kim, who has been living in Japan for 40+ years, has had a long career as editor of some of the most monumental books on Japanese culture, including Yoshiko's seminal first book on shibori (yes, they've been friends for over 30 years).


Click here for video clip







You can see the full segment and learn other great information on shibori and textiles on the DVD, "Arimatsu Narumi Shibori" ($34.95, shipping included) available here.

Thursday, June 4, 2009

LECTURE: Barbara Shapiro in Seattle, Salt Lake City

In Seattle or Salt Lake City this summer?
Check out these great events that textile artist and WSN member Barbara Shapiro will be doing!

Lecture: "Change is Good"
Contemporary Quilt Art Assoc. (@Seattle Pacific University)
June 13 2009

Lecture & 3-day Workshop
On dyeing with acid dyes and "a greener indigo"*
Salt Lake City Surface Design Group
July 8 2009

*this "greener indigo" was a formula Barbara started using after her ISS08 trip where she had the distinct opportunity & privilege to study with Michel Garcia!!


You can see some of Barbara's coiled and plaited baskets at the shop of the Museum of Craft & Folk Art, San Francisco www.mocfa.org