Numero Uno

Hopefully, this will suffice as an introduction to this space.

Project brief-
What
How can one work with the inherent fluidity/drapery of fabric be used to create and generate a sense of movement and intimacy, and in turn, re-evaluate the usage and application of it? How can one layer its surfaces with information that establishes a relationship with the space it exist in?

Why

I believe that textiles has come a long way from its original form of being an cultural artefact, a rich tapestry of history, civilisations and people, a nurtured craft and a source of livelihood.
Today, it stands as an integral part of our daily lives and surrounds us in our constantly shifting environments and is an essential component of the social hybrids formed by multi culturalism - be it in our homes, on our bodies, workspaces and relationships. With today’s increasingly insistent communication systems, information travels faster and penetrates the sublime membrane of communities and individuals deeper than ever. One has received the information even before it has been filtered and it registers itself in the collective mind of the people today.
Given the current complex and array modes of communications, they form an integral part of every single individual’s living atmosphere. Fabric has established itself in this very context as a “cannot do without”. It is increasingly being used as a medium to communicate one’s identity and personal preference – even as a projection of one’s lifestyle – a window, if I may, into one’s personality. As a material, it holds great potential to be transformed and moulded into a variety of shapes, sizes and a multitude of techniques can be applied to it. Therefore, it also serves as a medium to establish connections and build relationships between spaces, people and our daily environment.

Being a part of this culture, and having to encounter diverse types of communication on a daily basis, I choose to explore this area in further detail. I also intend to translate this learning onto fabric so as to accentuate its communicative nature, and the fact that it could stand as a ‘language’ as well.

As a student of the subject, I believe that design is meant to enhance and provide one with tools/platforms/services that serve as metaphors of, and alternatives to daily life and interactions. I also believe that design allows one the space to investigate and question existing notions, ideologies and re-establish relationships with both the tangible and intangible.

Research questions
The research for this project will involve an enquiry into and ask the following questions:
•What is communication, as defined today?
•What are the various kinds of communications-e.g.-verbal, body language, sensorial, active and passive
•What are the main nuances of communications? Attributes, characteristics?
•Can they be broken done into simpler forms of patterns, sequences, geometry and mathematics?
•The movement of information- the flow

Smaller questions that intend to answer

•What is fabric?
•Is there a relationship between communication and fabric?
•If so, how can I translate this onto fabric?
•What are the different techniques I can use for the same?
•What kind of fabric is best suited for this translation?
•What properties of the fabric will add/subtract from this translation?
•Can a combination of techniques be applied to the surface of the fabric? If so, then which ones?


Approach/Process
•Collection of needed information(research)- interviews, books, articles, observations
•Filtering and making connections
•Material explorations
•Constant reflection of the process and ideation of the different ways of representation
•Adherence to a process that is open, explorative and evolving.

Materials
•Different kinds of fabric
•Paper (explorations)
•Inks, paint, thread
•Wires, metal etc

Resources
•NUNO
-Kira Kira
-Boro Boro
-Zawa Zawa
-Shimi Jimi
-Suke Suke
-Fuwa Fuwa
•Textile View Magazines
•New Textiles
•Wearable Art 1900-2000
•websites

Learning Outcomes
•a better understanding of materials
•an ability to translate information into diverse forms
•the effects of various techniques on fabric, in conjunction with others, as well as on their own
•An understanding of one of the many facets of textile design- surfaces and translations
•An understanding of the social context that feeds my project.

Proposed output
The final output of this project will be determined by the process
Proposed outcomes-
•panels
•installation
•application of the created surfaces onto products