HAND/EYE Magazine: World Textiles Issue 05

Rowland Ricketts takes us into the 'Deep Blue' of indigo dye craft

It is a beautiful thing when hands, hearts, and minds join forces to celebrate textile diversity and global artisans working to preserve the traditions of handwork and sustainable crafting. The summer 2011 edition of HAND/EYE magazine has done just this in its latest issue devoted to World Textiles. 

The seventy-two page volume serves as a feast for the eyes, as well as an inspirational guide to socially and environmentally-responsible textile projects and designer initiatives that span countries such as Cambodia, Chile, Colombia, Ethiopia, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Peru, South Africa, and The Netherlands, to name a few.

'Handloom Heritage' of Rehwa Society by Julie Hall

HAND/EYE is devoted to creating bridges between art, design, textiles, and philanthropic outreach through thoughtfully written articles and interviews by invited contributors and guest editors. This latest edition has assembled an impressive line up of individuals who are united by their passion for curation, sustainable textile production, craft-based knowledge, and artisanal methods. India Flint, Christina Kim of Dosa, Birgitta de Vos, Marcella Echavarria, Rowland Ricketts, Kathrin von Rechenberg, Rebecca Schiller, and Keith Recker, are just a few of the contributors and interviewees who have made this issue so complex and rich.

Luxurious hand-woven 'Monsoon stole' by Soie de Lune

WUBET handwoven scarves by designer Arnold Haas

Ethereal and earth-friendly designs by Cristina Kim of DOSA Collection

My contribution to this colorful and exquisitely designed issue is an article on Raw Mango and designer, Sanjay Garg. "Sanjay Garg's creative brand, Raw Mango, goes to the source of Indian textile production to create a collection steeped in artisan tradition and hand-woven luxury ... and at the same time rich with temptation for younger customers."

As HAND/EYE's Editor-in-Chief, Keith Recker, states in his introduction to the publication, "It is vital that we keep the conversation rolling with stories of creative people from every continent whose textile work contains the seeds for a vibrant future." This is essential for the preservation of ancient crafting techniques and materials, as well as building a bridge to a more sustainable future.

You can subscribe to HAND/EYE magazine here.

Congratulations to everyone involved in the creation of this gorgeous publication. Blog updates and news announcement can also be found on HAND/EYE's Facebook page.

Good Work May Day Event: Fiber Bracelets for Iran

Recycled fiber, threads, and yarn strands with environmental art 

by Atefeh Khas and the Iranian New Art Collective as inspiration

I was thrilled to participate in Good Work's May Day celebration at the Textile Arts Center this past Sunday. My afternoon workshop was an occasion to craft fiber 'peace' bracelets to be exchanged with Atefeh Khas and Tara Goodarzy, Iranian environmental fiber artists who I have collaborated with in the past. The goal was to create a kit of braided bracelets that I will send to Iran in exchange for the contribution that these artists made to my exhibit, (Re)Fashioning Fiber, in NYC last May.

Braiding of fiber bracelets with imagery from Iranian artist friends

Participants sharing stories and a love of fiber at the 'Good Work' workshop

Natural dyes provided by jewelry designer, Erin Considine

Prepping the dye vats before immersing the bracelets

Plant dyed fiber bracelets drying in my studio

(These were left over bracelets made by the Iranian artists, 

dyed with natural plant dyes in Brooklyn this past Sunday)

'Good Work' worktable at the end of the afternoon.
These braided designs will be added to the dyed kit
of bracelets that I will send to Iran

Photos of the final mailing kit to be sent to Iran will be posted soon. I will also be returning Atefeh and Tara's 'fiber nets' after photographing them in Central Park. I want to extend a special thank you to Dr. Ahmad Nadalian, teacher and mentor to a whole generation of environmental artists in Iran. His work at the Paradise Art Center in Polour is where many of these artists have found a safe sanctuary to work and explore their ideas. He has been a great art friend and collaborator for the past several years. Congratulations also to Tali Weinberg, curator of 'Good Work', for an exceptional textile show and community building experience.

*all photos by Abigail Doan

Fashioning Self and the Environment for Earth Day

Mosstika's installation of live succulents (Edina Tokodi/József Vályi-Tóth)

I am excited that things are coming together so organically for the Earth Day open house that I am organizing at the Textile Arts Center in Brooklyn. This evening event will take place from 6pm to 9pm on Friday, April 22, 2011, and the range of projects and activities to be shared will include a spectrum of ideas related to fashioning self, fiber, textiles, and craft in environmental outreach. Refreshments and organic treats will also be provided.

Eko-Lab's A/W 2011 Collection

The current list of artist/designer participants is as follows: 


Susan Benarcik, Meiling Chen (Fearless Dreamer), Abigail Doan, Daria Dorosh, Xing-Zhen Chung-Hilyard and Melissa Kirgan of Eko-Lab, Ceca Georgieva, Titania Inglis, Anjelika Krishna (a.d.o. clothing), Renata Mann, Rachel Miller, Eve Mosher, Shannon South (reMade USA), Study NY with Awamaki Lab, Edina Tokodi (Mosstika), Tali Weinberg, and Zoe Sheehan Saldana.


Please RSVP at rsvp@textileartscenter.com 

'Life Jackets' filled with boyant milkweed fiber 

(image courtesy of Zoe Sheehan Saldana)