Art 156: Reading #3

Article in focus: Wearing Proverbs by Susan Domowitz

For the Anyi people, wearing Proverbs in their clothing is a form of public speaking. The cloth comes in vibrant, colorful designs. Men wear them as a toga or shirt, but women are the primary consumers of it. The pictures, symbols and patterns are associated with terms, feelings, meanings, they may honor a political movement or person or special event. Sometimes ther patterned cloth can have negative connotations, talking about jealousy within a polygomous marriage, co-wife rivalry, etc. Men are also able to disypher the hidden messages, whether it’s a warning from a wife or girlfriend.

Mourners wearing the factory-produced commemorative cloth of a chief

 

“Darling, Don’t Turn Your Back on Me” design.

“Condolences to my husband’s Mistriss” A wife wearing this is sending a sarcastic message.

Art 156: Reading Response #2

Article of focus: The Inventive Art of Japanese Shaped Resist Dying

1. Stitching
   1. The Japanese tend to use stitching as a form of resist dying more than other cultures. You can have more flexibility and control with the designs.
   2. Creating patterns with stitching as a form of resist dying was prominent during the 14th century, during the Kamakura period.
   3. After the stitching is finished, the cloth is pulled tight where the stitches are and secured by knotting. Then the cloth is dyed, most likely in indigo. The fabric within the stiches and gathers is protected from the dye.
   4. The main stitch used in Shibori is a running stitch, the only other stitch used in Shibori would be a type of overstitch to create a pattern.

Art 156: Platonic Solids

Tetrahedron

Cube

Octahedron

Icosahedrons

Art 156: Reading Response #1

Article- The Impermanent Made Permanent: Textiles, Pattern, and the Migration of the Medium By Deborah Valoma
-I thought it was interesting and true when the author said that “weaving is the geometry of line acted out in three dimensions.”
-It’s amazing to think how far back in time fibers, strings, and textiles go back. According to Valoma, all the way back to the Upper Paleolithic period.
-it’s amazing to think that the weaving and strong structure is the same as it is in the Golden Gate Bridge as a grass woven bridge in a rural land. Woven structures provide strength. Buildings with a steel woven frame are stronger.
-Textile and weaving patterns are beautiful when you look at them hard.
-“Once you start to recognize patterns, you cannot stop.”
-Japanese Jamon pottery is beautiful and a treasured ancient form of pottery.
-Woven patterns in Mayan walls
-Music = patterns = rythum = dance
-weaving is a 3d art- up and over, over and around
-when textiles are found in archeological discoveries, they are often overlooked
-What does “rudimentary manipulations” mean? pg 45

 

Art 156: Curiosity to Discovery

I love dogs. I especially love bulldogs. My husband won this little bulldog for me on the Santa Monica pier. I contacted KELLYTOY U.S.A. Inc. about how they manufactured their merchandise. I received a response from Jeanne, the V.P. of Sales and Product Development. She said that they produce all of their plush in China.  Although the designs are created at the LA office, actual samples are made in the Qingdao design center.  Once the samples are approved then the Qingdao manager designates the factory to do the mass production. The outer material is 100% Polyester and stuffing inside is fiber made with 100% recycled plastic water bottles. I would go about deconstructing the bulldog plush by using a seam ripper and taking apart the pattern pieces that put him together. Based off of his pattern pieces, I would be interested in contacting a fabric wholesaler and seeing the various patterned fabric they carry to make a fun new version of the dog. I would find matching thread. I would then contact a recycling plant to see what they do with plastic water bottles and see the process of how they make the stuffing used for the dog.