Projects

Arimatsu Narumi Shibori (2010)

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(DVD project) The most comprehensive overview of Arimatsu shibori available. Meticulously detailed recordings of each step in shibori processes as demonstrated by the most expert artisans alive today (dvd available here, multilingual English, Japanese, Spanish)

Amarras Replication Research

original amarras (AD 500-800)

original amarras, detail (AD500-800)

replication 1 (1999)

A collaborative, international effort by scholars and artisans towards the understanding of techniques and symbolism of amarras (“tied in knots”) (Pre-Columbian shibori). A greater understanding of the unusual techniques can be found through careful hand-replication using materials (fibers and dyes) matching historical samples. Initial findings were shared at the ISS’99-Chile. Founding group of researchers: CHILE Soledad Hoces de la Guardia; INDIA Seema Chandna, Aditi Ranjan; JAPAN Kozo Takeda; PERU Hitoshi Sakane de Amano; USA James Bassler, Angelina Deantonis, Krisa Fredrickson, Ana Lisa Hedstrom, Jennifer Mackey, Andres Moraga, Angelica Pereyra, Andrea Serrahn, Karen Urbanek, Yoshiko I. Wada. Amarras#1: Original pre-Columbian. Tie dyed plain-weave discontinuous warp and weft pieces reassembled with warps dovetailed and weft slits sewn. Replication #1: scaffold woven fabrics by James Bassler and Angelica Pereyra, dyeing by US group. Amarras #2: Original Pre-Columbian. Plain weave double cloth. Replication #2: fabric by Seema Chandna, dyeing by US group

amarras (AD 1000-1476) 35.5×26 cm

replication 2 (1999)

Exotic Yukata project (2004)

As kimono is worn less and less in Japan, traditional shibori techniques and production methods are being lost. The Exotic Yukata Project was intended to inspire and stimulate Japan’s cottage industry surrounding shibori cotton yukata production. WSN members aimed to elevate the perception of yukata as a design canvas to a level shaking conventional design rules thereby attracting Japan’s youth to this traditional craft.

The Exotic Yukata Project invited WSN members to create their own original yukata kimono cloth. Arimatsu and Narumi shibori artisans and producers from Japan translated these individual designs into bolts of fabric and exhibited them alongside the original contemporary fabric submissions. Japanese artisans accepted custom orders for production.

Bandhani Development Project (2001)

(formerly Gujarat Earthquake Relief Fund “GERF” for Kutch Bandhani Artisans)

Gujarat Bandhani Development Project

Established as a relief effort against the devastating February earthquake. Founded by The National Institute of Design (NID) Ahmedabad, headed by Dr. D.O. Koshy, Director, and Ms. Aditi Ranjan, Head of Textile and Costume Dept., and Ms. Yoshiko Wada, then Vice-President of World Shibori Network. Fundraising efforts held through shows and sales at the Museum of Carft & Folk Art, SF; and workshop residencies for international designers with students at NID and local craftsman and women, funded in part by a generous grant from Aid to Artisans (participants included Christina Kim of Dosa; Marian Clayden).

Clamp Resist Dye Research (1999)

Michie Yamaguchi, Hiroshi Ishizuka, Seishi Namiki and Yoichi Onagi. Minority Chinese Groups carved board clamp resist in Wan Zhu and the minority regions in Yunan. Research information and images in the resultant book: Kyo beni itajime: Collection of Hangi and Kimono. Kyoto: Kyoto Zakei. Geijutsu Daigaku, 1999. ISBN4-7538-1267-7 c0072