WORN and the Patching of Holes
Noveber 19, 2023
The workshop talk was dedicated to the groundbreaking book "Worn" by Sofi Thanhauser and
why sewing and preserving clothes is a political act.
The workshop talk focused on the rich innovations in textile production, why their history is scarcely known, and what can be done to address this. Thanhauser does a remarkable job of narrating the story of our clothing and uncovering connections previously unseen. This workshop talk explored these new insights, aiming to actively contribute to the largely untold story of groundbreaking inventions with fibers and fabrics.
Women have been central figures in this history across much of the world since the dawn of humanity. The workshop talk also examined how commercialization and trade have led to the devaluation of these achievements, obscuring their artistic and social significance.
You can read more about Word and my research here.
There is a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in.
Leonhard Cohen
Making clothes is one of the oldest cultural techniques known to mankind. A lot of experience and resources go into a piece of fabric. Repairing clothes and reusing fabrics were part of everyday life until well into the middle of the last century.