i have seen all these before

I have seen these all before, 2016

Carbon-, glass-, kevlar-, flax-, and cotton-fibers

110 x 250 cm

Photos: Nici Jost

Our relation to technology historically and currently is the profound driver for this project. The majority of the mankind‘s technological achievements manifest after a long period of scientific research, targeting on a concrete, innovating application. Carbon fibers and composite materials have been developed in order to serve the demanding requirements of the aeronautics and space industry. In the meantime, these technologies are utilized in a variety of other beneficial applications but also in unnecessary, luxurious design objects. Technology seems to be often undermined and misused simply to satisfy our lust for materialistic pleasure. Moreover, I am enquiring the ways in which technology and tradition meet, collide and apparently melt together.

For the present project, I worked together with the weaver Lena, based in a small village, on Pindos Mountains in Greece. I supplied her with carbon-, glass-, kevlar- and flax- fibers (typical fibers used in the composite materials) and asked her to weave a textile using a traditional wooden loom. The design was selected from traditional patterns. The weaver had to be thoroughly protected, as most the fibers are hazardous for the human body. Eventually, a toxic textile was weaved.

Footage from the project‘s realization at Elafotopos, Zagori, Greece

Weaver: Lena Gerothanasi

Video: Lila Tsatsi