top of page
ISOLATION MENTALITY
Machine Knit,
Digital Knit &
Shibori Manipulations
Bachelor Project
The Royal Danish Academy, 2020, 4 months
The goal with 'Isolation Mentality // Karantænesind' (2021) is to create a textile space with a slow and calm atmosphere.
This is my inspiration, photos and process for the project. They show the experiments with textures in knit, manipulated polyester and print. In the end the textiles form a space that appeals to the sense of touch through their 3D-surfaces.
Moodboard
I used the moodboard to start my design process exploring color inspiration, materials, techniques, atmosphere and themes)
In this project, I wanted to create a room for calmness and tranquility, so I took this period, which for many people was a time to reflect and start new hobbies etc.
This moodboard is therefor a selection of my photo material from the first lockdown in the spring 2020.
In this project, I wanted to create a room for calmness and tranquility, so I took this period, which for many people was a time to reflect and start new hobbies etc.
This moodboard is therefor a selection of my photo material from the first lockdown in the spring 2020.
Machine Knit
The repetition of the days during lockdown, created the feeling that the days were flowing together.
This is interpreted into knitted structures by repeating the round shapes of the moon.
This is interpreted into knitted structures by repeating the round shapes of the moon.
Machine knit zoom
These samples are the result of experiments in color and material combinations using a technique called ‘Hvilestrik’.
'Hvilestrik' is made by setting some of the neddles to rest while other needles work. This results in bubbles or areas of spare material.
The materials ( from left to right): Cotton and Lurex, Viscose, Cotton and wool and Lurex, Cotton
'Hvilestrik' is made by setting some of the neddles to rest while other needles work. This results in bubbles or areas of spare material.
The materials ( from left to right): Cotton and Lurex, Viscose, Cotton and wool and Lurex, Cotton
Blue knit sample
This cotton knit with bubbles is also created using the technique, 'Hvilestrik'.
It is inspired by the 'repetition of days and routines' from the moodboard. This is expressed as a round 3D shape repeating itself.
It is inspired by the 'repetition of days and routines' from the moodboard. This is expressed as a round 3D shape repeating itself.
Yarn colors
This picture is taken from my home studio at Nørrebro from where I created the majority of my bachelor project during the second lockdown.
Digital knit
I wanted to make tactile structures that appealed to the sense of touch through the visual decoding of the textile.
These digital knit samples are made with rib techniques in different qualities: (from left to right): 2 x viscose, cotton and thin wool.
These digital knit samples are made with rib techniques in different qualities: (from left to right): 2 x viscose, cotton and thin wool.
Digital knit struktures
During the first lockdown, many people experienced what we in Danish call 'hudtørst', which is the lack of psychical contact or touch.
My starting point for this experiments was therefor to create a sort of visual tactility that could appeal to the sense of touch through its visual decoding, resulting in a intriguing structure.
My starting point for this experiments was therefor to create a sort of visual tactility that could appeal to the sense of touch through its visual decoding, resulting in a intriguing structure.
Digital knit
I have developed these final strips of digitally knitted textile by exploring different knitting techniques.
Because of its different colors and light materials (Lurex, PES/PA and cobber/nylon) these knitted strips curve sligtly, giving a wavy look that corresponds with the other elements of the final installation.
Because of its different colors and light materials (Lurex, PES/PA and cobber/nylon) these knitted strips curve sligtly, giving a wavy look that corresponds with the other elements of the final installation.
Shibori
These are the initial experiments with Shibori Techniques.
Shibori is a Japanese technique that can be dated back to year 238 AD. You tie the fabric with strings and dye it. This has actually in Denmark developed into batik dyeing.
I have used the technique - not to create coloured patterns like the technique has traditionally been used for - but to create shape in the fabric by tying and steam-fixing polyester.
Shibori is a Japanese technique that can be dated back to year 238 AD. You tie the fabric with strings and dye it. This has actually in Denmark developed into batik dyeing.
I have used the technique - not to create coloured patterns like the technique has traditionally been used for - but to create shape in the fabric by tying and steam-fixing polyester.
Selected Shibori technique
Polyester, which is a synthetic quality, has the advantage that it retains the shape in which it is fixed at high heat. It only transforms if it is again exposed to high heat.
These steam-fixed shibori work well to create three-dimensional surfaces and, by virtue of their transparency, draw a kind of pattern in the areas where the fabric overlaps in several layers.
By their structure, they appeal to our visual tactile expectation.
These steam-fixed shibori work well to create three-dimensional surfaces and, by virtue of their transparency, draw a kind of pattern in the areas where the fabric overlaps in several layers.
By their structure, they appeal to our visual tactile expectation.
Shibori with buttons
There are several options when using shibori techniques to manipulate polyester.
You can fix the polyester with different tools. For example, you can tie the fabric tightly around a tube. Or, as in this case, you can fix the polyester with objects tied into it. For each bubble in this sample, a button has been tied in.
This also means that it is a very slow process. Each of these samples took over 2 hours just to tie.
You can fix the polyester with different tools. For example, you can tie the fabric tightly around a tube. Or, as in this case, you can fix the polyester with objects tied into it. For each bubble in this sample, a button has been tied in.
This also means that it is a very slow process. Each of these samples took over 2 hours just to tie.
Final installation
The selected techniques from the experimentations were then used to produce this final textile artwork. It consists of around 14 long thin strips of textiles that are either digitally knitted, machine knitted or manipulated with shibori binding techniques.
Measurements: 2,1 m high and 60 cm wide.
Measurements: 2,1 m high and 60 cm wide.
Shadows on curtains
The print for the exhibition is inspired by the feeling of laying inside and looking out of the window, daydreaming.
The shadow play on the curtains is dynamic, depending on the position of the sun and the changing light.
The shadow play on the curtains is dynamic, depending on the position of the sun and the changing light.
Final 'shadows on curtain' prints
The prints are inspired by pictures I have taken of some shadows of trees and leaves on my curtains that I took during the first lockdown due to COVID19 and symbolizes calmness.
Exhibition Paris
This is the textiles for the final installation. It was exhibited in La Fondation Danoise in Paris, July 2021
bottom of page