This week I have planned to revisit my research for my topic to provide more substance for me to work from. So I went into uni to use the library again today, and I found a couple of books that explained different textile techniques such as macrame, and I also researched sustainable textiles in the context of fashion, looking at what steps big brands have been taking to make their products more eco-friendly.
While I was at uni I also went up to prototyping with the intention of using the knitting machines, however I asked the technician about what yarns would be suitable and the ones that I had brought in would not work as they are too thick and raw, especially the thick merino yarn which has a tendency to just break randomly because its so soft so it would tangle in the machine. This means I need to go find some thinner wool, possibly cotton yarns as they are quite thin, and with the thicker ones I have already bought I could try knitting by hand so the wool will be easier to manipulate and control.
On my way back from uni, I popped into the Tate Modern in search of some artwork to inspire me. Surprisingly, there is very little work on display that’s inspired by nature. I’m not sure why that is, maybe people are moving away from nature as an important topic in art as nowadays political issues seem to be the focus of many contemporary artists. Nature is often evident as the inspiration for older artists such as Van Gogh and Monet (I did manage to find the painting ‘Waterlilies’ on display), so perhaps the Van Gogh exhibition at the Tate Britain would be more useful. While I was at the Tate I also found a couple of books about nature in London and found two more places to go to for research. The garden museum has an exhibition displaying beautiful botanical illustrations by Emma Tennant and the Chelsea Physic Gardens is focussed on plants for medicinal uses which would be a very interesting route to take my research down.
an.andycaptures 