Social Fabrics: Wearable + Media + Interconnectivity


Weaving traditions throughout the world are rich with texture and symbolism. Knots and patterns in textiles come together to communicate profound statements of belief, tradition, and history. Often the process of creating the textile is equally symbolic and involves strict rituals that amount to a spiritual journey. After learning how to weave, I became interested in tactile modes of communication. I investigated ways in which the symbols and textures in textiles can manifest meaning and how techniques and tools create that meaning. Conversation Loom and Mouth Loom are products of these investigations. Conversation Loom is a continuation of Mouth Loom, a loom created to weave small strips of fabric using the movements of the mouth. As a loom, it uses the mouth (to move warp threads) and hand gestures (to move weft threads) combined to create a tactile record of speech. Conversation Loom serves as an instrument to create a tactile record of a conversation between two or more people. Resting on the shoulders of each weaver, and connected by warp threads, it will function with two heddles operated by the up and down movements of the chin while talking.

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Updated 22 July 2009