Handlooms
Understanding Labour
Understanding Labour
This project was in response to an attitude I often find myself surrounded by, that of relegating craft to mindless labour. While always suspicious, I wasn't sure how true this notion was. The simplest way to know the answer was to participate myself and hence build build a loom for my college and weave on it. I began by observing looms around me and studying their design. Post a quick 3D model, I began constructing the loom in Teak wood.
As the project progressed, subtler aspects of design within material and and concept started to show themselves which I learned through mistakes and iterations. Soon it was apparent, craft is far from mindless. Craft to me, seems to be the a product of mindfulness. It is the application of thought.
A month later the loom was finally ready for use! I applied wood wax to bring out the grain in teak. Also the joinery here isn't permanent to allow for ease in transportation and setup.
A few sample weaves on the loom, another exploration through labour.
