FIBROUS EXCHANGE/ fibrous practices - practicing fibers

Initiated by the »Architectural Yarns« Research Group at the Cluster of Excellence »Matters of Activity. Image Space Material«, the Workshop FIBROUS EXCHANGE revisits the Work Exotica III by Ritzi Jacobi and takes inspiration for a transdisciplinary exchange between textile design, materials science and architecture. During a hands-on exploration with off-the-loom textile techniques, we seek to transfer knowledge from the different disciplines into an architectural context. We take a closer look at plant fibers and various reversible binding techniques to explore large fiber bundles as the basis for a new construction method - Architectural Yarns. We investigate in what way textiles can contribute to design for maintenance, regeneration and repair in architecture to tackle critical environmental conditions such as heat and unsustainable material flows.

By using textile techniques like knitting, crochet and wrapping, we can explore structural assemblies that can be unraveled afterwards. In a series of experiments, we will test reversible binders such as starch, soil or lignin in combination with the natural fibers. This opens up the concept of reversible composites that exhibit differentiated qualities along the linear element. With this process, we aim to achieve structural stability in the moment of use and to form objects that can be assembled and disassembled, made and unmade.

Flax as a natural material is deeply rooted in textile culture, and the processing of plant fibers into fabrics and ropes has a long standing history. Natural plant fibers have shaped the tools of the textile industry for centuries. When Ritzi and Peter Jacobi began creating relief tapestries from natural plant fibers in the 60s, they began exploring a new formal language using unconventional crafting techniques.

Event in relation to the exhibition Design Lab #13 Material Legacies, which was developed in cooperation with design researchers from the Cluster of Excellence Matters of Activity. Image Space Material at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, explores contingencies and disruptions between traditional crafts and most recent developments at the interface of materials research, design, technology and architecture.

Organization

Maxie Schneider

Michaela Eder

Christiane Sauer

Iva Rešetar

Participation

Max. 12 participants with expertise in Textile Design Research, Architecture and Materials Science.

Workshop material will be provided and own material is also welcome.

For participation please register at m.schneider [​at​] kh-berlin.de until 16 February. Spots are limited.

References

Mundt, Barbara, Textile Objekte, Verlag: Berlin Kunstgewerbemuseum, 1975.

Rešetar, I, Sauer, C., Schneider, M., Shone, J., Architectural Yarns, Design Lab #13 Material Legacies, 2022.