Shag meets Structure

As I develop my wall weave process, I have branched out into knotting shag directly onto the wall.  This process incorporates many techniques that when together create a dynamic piece with lots of interest.  I love going big and for this project I did not hold back.

Strips of reclaimed fabrics, all hand dyed to the perfect shade.  Some solids and some shibori.

Start of the shag.  A system of warp threads are strung vertically as a base for the knotting.  Then I just went to work, building up layers of textures and colors.

The wood for the frame.  I ripped the wood into 1" thick pieces and cut the angles to create unique triangles.

Painted a matte black.

The triangles being assembled.

Experimenting with a new plane in which to weave.  By stretching the string in the frame, a floating weave is created, bringing woven elements out into space.

The assembly and installation.

The final piece.  I love how this turned out.  This piece combined all of my loves, shag, weaving, knotting and woodworking.  This structure has many possibilities and I have much more to learn about how it works and interacts in the interior.  The possibilities of textured walls are endless.

Be Inspired. Be Bold.

peace&love

Rebecca

A Retro and Reclaimed Installation

The VHS tape, a simple material, with endless possibilities.  The challenge was to not overwork the material and to use its characteristics as a strength.  This was a collaborative installation project with the Fibers Force! Club at SCAD and our alumni mentor Trish Anderson for the Fibers Department Open Studio.  We came up with two designs, both different but relating to each other seamlessly.

Both designs required very minimal supplies, really focusing on the VHS tape as the main material.  For the first design we wove the tape to the wall, playing with levels, planes and angles.  We had to create a system of nails on wood that the tape would weave onto.  All the materials were 100% reclaimed and recycled, being rescued from the dumpster and the woodshop.

For the second design we draped the tape into the stairwell.  A convex tunnel was created that flowed up the stairwell.  As you reached the landing the lines straightened out.  This simple design was very dynamic, as you would move through and around the piece the lines would change.  Every view point offered different and exciting viewing experiences.

This was a great experience to work with such a great group of creative minds.  This was my first time installing such a large piece.  The ideation, research and refining the idea took much longer than expected.  The evolution of the idea went through many phases, ending with a simple and clean design.

Be Inspired. Be Bold.

peace&love

Rebecca