Introduction to A Perfect Red

grinding chochinealOriginally uploaded by SOFennell

It was a discussion of Amy Butler Greenfield’s book, A Perfect Red, at the NCMA where this all too brief first experience took place. I’ve been intrigued for some time, so this was a perfect way to begin, by reading the book on the topic (cochineal), then a short but sweet hands-on.

We had a lively discussion over a light summer meal, then went on to the actual experience of the color and dye.  We looked at natural dye samples, then samples of wool with various results using different mordants.  Finally we experienced grinding it and then with dye that had already been prepared, we dipped a few textile samples.  It was delicious!

The vat

The vat

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

I’m heating it up again this morning and hope it will “cooperate” as the temps are not really suited. However, it’s the warmest it’s going to be for at least a week or more. Today’s temps will be in the low 60s, but even now, with the sun, it feels quite tolerable. I hope the vat feels the same.

A custom job awaits, so I want to take advantage of this good weather. It could take a few weeks to actually complete things.

In the meantime, I’m like the vat – taking it slow and tentative. I’m easing into this new year. A virus or something similar knocked me flat for at least a week over the holidays so my energy level isn’t back to normal yet. It’s time, though, to begin work and this project will help.

continuing with that theory

 

J’s cloth

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

To continue with the previous blog…I did check the vat and cut a piece from the silk noil I was given. I have to admit, in spite of the cold, I really wanted to dip something in the dye.

So, I folded the piece in triangles, soaked it in warm water (to help with wicking), then dipped it between 5 and 10 times in the vat. Then I started to feel the chill and decided to quit for the day.

I washed it in a mild detergent then hung it to dry, which it’s doing now. I may just leave it out overnight. I’m not satisfied with it, but it’s one of the things that challenge me in this process. The image shows that and some of what will be addressed in the next workshop, which is what the day was about.

Kasane – layers of color

Since reading about Hiroko Harada’s works and kasane, the question of its meaning has lingered.  This morning,  the Japan Foundation’s bulletin arrived with this event (not to be missed if one is in Nara or nearby this month) that led to more answers on that topic.

Exploring Sachio Yoshioka, a Kyoto textile dyer and historian led to further explanations:

The concept of ‘kasane’ originated in the aristocratic customs and lifestyles of 11th century Japan and is applied not only to textiles, but also to papers and interiors, for instance. Now Yoshioka has reintroduced this custom into his 21st century textile materials and textile installations.
Yoshioka uses it to represent Japanese’ sensitivity towards colours, seasons and nature as well as to enhance the visual impact of textile installation and its surrounding environment.

雨・Ame・Rain

あめ　あめ　ふれ　ふれ　ame ame fure fure

Yesterday was an 雨の日(ame no hi), rainy day. Days like this, in this heat and high humidity, remind me of tsuyu, Japan’s rainy season that occurs in June. Sometimes, this time of year, it feels like we also experience our own tsuyu in North Carolina. I don’t know why we don’t just name it so.

While it rained, I put some pieces in the indigo dye pot. After removing them from the vat, and unfolding the pieces revealed yellowing greens that were slowly changing over to indigo. The high humidity though, slowed the oxidation process, so it took longer than usual for that change. It gave me the chance to record some of that process and to enjoy the colors, however fleeting.

So, it was a day around soaking, sopping, dripping, soggy wet things – inside and out.  Outside, the leaves were dripping from the pouring rain and water was running down the driveway and trickling down the street. Inside my garage, fabric was soaking in the vat, then later, the soggy pieces were dripping from the drying rack.

On days like these, a familiar word or expression often comes to mind: 濡れている(nureteiru)-it’s wet, or びっしょりぬれている (bisshōri nureteiru)-it’s soaking wet. To me, nothing quite captures the qualities of water like these words do.

In a short language exploration last night, I discovered there are quite a few words and expressions around the topic. Lately, this hot humid weather is 蒸し暑い-mushi atsui. To get wet is ぬれる-nureru. To soak cloth in a dye, though, is布を染料に浸す – nuno o senryo ni hitasu. The word senryo contains the character 染 (some/zome) which means “to dye.” Another pronunciation of the same character, in a similar context is shimikomu – 染み込む. It means “to soak into” or “permeate.” These are only a few examples from my brief research, needless to say, there is much more to be discovered.

Indigo day

Indigo1

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

My horoscope this morning indicated that summer isn’t over yet, not by a long shot. I didn’t need to “consult” that aspect of the paper to figure that out. We’d planned this day some time ago, so I hoped for good weather and it did work in our favor. The cicadas were not so strong, but their lament still hung in the air.

We focused as usual on the indigo and what kinds of patterns we could create on the silk by dyeing and then over dyeing, sometimes several times over. I was amazed to see the subtleties and the depth of hue.

We took a light lunch break: salad and bread with a fruity drink topped with a sprig of mint. Then we went back to work. The day passed quickly but I think the results were quite satisfying.

Taking a day like this reinforces (for me) the necessity of not getting too deeply entrenched in my usual production efforts (ie. prepping for schools). I’m finding that a few hours with friends keeps things fresh and engaging. I also gain inspiration and innovative approaches to my daily activity.

Art Fest

Butterfly

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

The art fest is tomorrow and I’ve been working on “presentation,” more like samples and imagery for teachers and other folk to peruse when they come to my booth. From the early response I’ve had so far, I’ll be doing a little more shibori this coming school year than last – so it appears.

I’m thinking now of an upcoming fall residency at a nearby elementary school where butterflies will be the theme and I’m wondering about shibori with 2nd graders. I think they can do it, but it will be a challenge (for some). It should be a challenge. It challenges high school kids, but it’s also not so difficult.

So, this is a first attempt at play. I wouldn’t work with these colors necessarily, probably something brighter and I’m wondering if some stamping, fabric marker or stitching (embroidery) couldn’t be added to help further define the insect.

Blue Surprise

Blue Surprise

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

So yesterday, we got serious with color. The kids had their introduction to shibori with itajime (clamping) and some binding. They worked with muslin scraps, moved up to 12 inch squares, then tenugui (hand towel) or hachi maki (headband) sized pieces. We used RIT dyes for this particular activity. However, I plan to use Procion as well as indigo as the week moves on.

This particular piece was a complete surprise. The student had initially forgotten to add her “back” pieces for clamping. So, I sent her back to do that and this is the final result. I think “we” are still “cool.”

Completed Project

In the foyer

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

It was my day off, but the day was spent at school. It mostly centered on the after school opening of the “I is for India” project and the installation of the indigo textiles students have been working on. Needless to say, I’m really pleased with how it all came together. The participating students who saw it were also very happy.

Matcha Green all lined up

Matchagreen2

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

This morning, first thing, I washed out the excess dye and hung 75 small squares on the line. They measure about 12 x 13 inches. I’m not sure all of them will be used in the final project. It was a pleasant task though. Hanging them in the cool and light of an early spring morning with bird and insect call in the background. I heard traffic too, but tried not to pay too much attention to that. I much prefer hanging pieces on the line as opposed to the dryer.