I've seen this photo and similar ones online for years, and with pretty much every nation where rug weaving is still practiced claiming it was an example of their handiwork, so I did a bit of sleuthing and it turns out the photo is from Thailand!
Quoting from the "Share knowledge of electrical systems - control cabinets - MDB cabinets - PLC control systems" Facebook page (Google translated, sorry):
"In daily life, for the picture of wires in the house that must be wired to various points and use wire clips to lock the wires in place, which does not require many steps. It is probably an image that we are used to seeing. But for the electrician's work as shown in the picture, it is a unique and intricate wire installation. This is... the science and art of wiring inside the building that creates intricate and beautiful patterns. I didn't think that wire clipping could play with patterns like this. It is another story that creates surprise for those who see it. When the electrician with great skills wires using wire ties to various devices by securing the wires to the walls or ceilings of the building with wire ties at every distance, it is like a former artist. Some people make woven patterns, OTOP mat weaving patterns, yantra patterns, Phra Thep Phanom patterns, various lotus patterns, etc. It depends on your imagination. It is considered a creative idea. It also creates good value for the work. Therefore, I would like to commend the technician's effort and patience. Then you can see the work as seen in the picture.
The science and art of wiring of the previous generation of technicians is wiring with VAF type wires that require the method of nailing wires to attach to the wall, cement or wood to make it look beautiful.
Which is different from the new generation of wiring that often uses the method of wiring in pipes embedded in the wall, in pipes on the exposed wall or wiring in various types of electrical wire storage trays using THW type wires and wires for various types of pipes, NYY wires, VCT wires, etc., which also gives another type of beauty that is very popular today. The wiring of the pipes must take into account the neatness and beauty, but must not neglect the details, specifications of the correct pipe and wire sizes at all times.
As for the old wiring method "clipping" which is still popular with technicians and some electricity users
The method of wiring by using clips to attach to the wall has various methods of wiring, emphasizing simple wiring, wiring that emphasizes neat wiring, making it beautiful, and there is also wiring that emphasizes wiring in a beautiful pattern using wire clips to tie it beautifully in the desired pattern. It is considered a wiring that truly relies on science and art. This type of work is often the work of A technician with long experience Because they have to plan the wire pattern, place the clips, and run the wires to get the beautiful pattern as desired. Otherwise, the work will not come out beautifully. For the patterns that are often used to assemble on the electrical wires
They are usually auspicious words, surnames, symbols, various Thai patterns. When the wire clips are placed in the right place, the pattern that appears will be beautiful, showing status, showing the relationship, such as the pattern written as a surname.
These works are works that show the art and experience of the technician as well. To make beautiful wire clips on the electrical wires, the technician must first lay out the outline to make that pattern, then gradually tie the wires one by one until it is complete as desired."
And I also found the OG pics!
Humans are capable of creating the most beautiful things from the most utilitarian means, and the fact that everyday art this isn't common practice everywhere makes me want to invent a time machine just so I could go back and kill the first person who came up with minimalism.
