A dialogue of making

The workshop was organized by the textile design programme. It took place as part of the project Fibers, Threads & Bindings in the 1st year.

During this labo-workshop, we experimented with ways to initiate encounters between digital lines and physical threads. Can we weave, knit, knot, tie... them together?

After experimenting with several traditional basket weaving techniques and discovering the different digital tools and techniques available at Formlab, we developped hybrid techniques, exploring the intersection of traditional making processes and the possibilities of digital manufacturing.

The goal of this workshop is to gain knowledge about digital manufacturing, develop an understanding of techniques through making and experimenting, and create a personal library of material experiments.

Hosiane, who visited us in Belgium for three weeks, gave us an insight into traditional basket weaving techniques used in her home country, Rwanda. She introduced us to the historical and cultural aspects, the fibers used, and the technical specificities.

She brought various materials and tools currently used in basket weaving in the mountainous region around Kigali, where she has been working with a community of women for the past two years. We discovered the basic tools and techniques of coiling and layered basket weaving on a bamboo frame.

Amandine gave us an overview of her work and research topics. Located at the crossroads of traditional crafts and digital practices, her research usually takes shape in the creation of tools and material experimentation libraries.

Amandine is also the co-founder of Hors Pistes, a nomadic residency program that initiates encounters between craftsmen and designers and explores the value of trans-disciplinary and cross-cultural collaborations.