Origin Interactive: Crafting Space (2008)

This live textile installation invited visitors to Origin to engage in the hands-on writing and weaving of a monumental textile sculpture. The intention was to transform visitor’s perceptions of what it means to be engaged in craft. The project was the first ever-interactive commission by the Crafts Council for Origin: the London Craft Fair

The content of the work was  informed by ideas around making, gift and exchange and the practice of Moshaereh (communal Persian poetry reciting).

Visitors chose from themes posted within the space which asked them to consider the meaning and value of making, giving, receiving and collecting in a new and intriguing context. They then wrote or drew their responses onto ribbon.  The weaving of one of the 5,000 sheer ribbons required to cover the circular steel mesh structure gave individual visitors the opportunity to transform the bare bones of an existing piece of craft into a monumental woven object of collective creativity.

The aim of the piece was to use text and textile to  articulate a process of reflection and dialogue which participants were drawn into, thus deepening their experience of the Fair.
It provided a lively, daily critical context to the wider event.

Conceived and directed by artist Alinah Azadeh, the textile structure was designed in collaboration with sculptor Willow Winston.

The project was produced in association with the Crafts Council and is also supported by The Constance Howard Resource and Research Centre in Textiles (Goldsmiths University).

The project was documented via the Alinah’s Crafting Space blog : http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/440660

Origin: The London Craft Fair, was launched in 2006, replacing Chelsea Crafts Fair as the UK’s principal selling event for individual designer-makers. In 2007 there were more than 20,000 visits to Origin and the event presented 316 exhibitors across two weeks. Now in its third year, Origin is an exceptional opportunity for makers to showcase and sell the very best in contemporary craft, directly to the public.

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