Radical Fiber: Threads Connecting Art and Science

Radical Fiber celebrates the intersection of art, science, interdisciplinary creativity, and collaborative learning, featuring a new artwork created by amateur and professional makers around the globe. It explores the relationship between fiber arts and sciences, addressing five key themes: shape, machine, body, brain, and community. The exhibition includes historical artifacts and contemporary art that address questions such as how synthetic mauveine dye led to modern pharmaceuticals while also generating toxic waste, and how we respond differently to woven photographs than printed ones.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 10 October 2023
Publisher: Distributed Art Publishers

Radical Fiber is a groundbreaking exhibition that explores the intricate relationship between fiber arts and various scientific disciplines. Through contemporary art and historical artifacts, the exhibition delves into five key themes: shape, machine, body, brain, and community. One of the key themes explored in Radical Fiber is the accidental discovery of synthetic mauveine dye in 1856. This discovery led to the development of modern pharmaceuticals, but it also generated toxic waste. The exhibition asks how the medium of fiber can be used to improve our world for the future, and how we can learn from the past.

Another key theme explored in Radical Fiber is the overlap between art, science, interdisciplinary creativity, and collaborative learning. Fiber arts have been used for centuries to create beautiful and intricate objects, and they have also been used to explore scientific concepts and theories. The exhibition features a new artwork created by amateur and professional makers around the globe, the Saratoga Springs Satellite Reef, which is part of the Crochet Coral Reef project by Christine and Margaret Wertheim and the Institute For Figuring. The reef is made up of thousands of crocheted coral pieces, and it is designed to help researchers study the behavior of coral reefs.

The exhibition also features numerous unidentified artists, additional artists and creators, and a range of historical artifacts. These artifacts include textiles, ceramics, and glass, and they provide a glimpse into the history of fiber arts and their impact on various scientific disciplines. For example, the exhibition includes a textile from the 17th century that was used to create a map of the world, and a ceramic vase from the 18th century that was used to study the properties of light.

In addition to the exhibition, Radical Fiber includes a series of workshops and events that allow visitors to learn more about fiber arts and their scientific applications. These workshops include weaving, knitting, crocheting, and embroidery, and they are designed to be accessible to people of all ages and skill levels. The workshops also provide a platform for artists and creators to share their work and collaborate with others.

One of the most significant aspects of Radical Fiber is its ability to challenge traditional notions of what art is and what it can do. Fiber arts are often seen as a craft or a hobby, but the exhibition demonstrates that they can be a powerful tool for scientific research and innovation. By combining art and science, the exhibition creates a unique and immersive experience that allows visitors to see the world in a new way.

Radical Fiber has been praised for its innovative and thought-provoking approach to the fiber/science intersection. The exhibition has been featured in numerous publications, including the New York Times, the Washington Post, and the Guardian, and it has received critical acclaim from both art and science communities.

In conclusion, Radical Fiber is a groundbreaking exhibition that explores the intricate relationship between fiber arts and various scientific disciplines. Through contemporary art and historical artifacts, the exhibition delves into five key themes: shape, machine, body, brain, and community. By challenging traditional notions of what art is and what it can do, the exhibition creates a unique and immersive experience that allows visitors to see the world in a new way. Whether you are an artist, a scientist, or just someone who loves art, Radical Fiber is a must-see exhibition that will leave you inspired and amazed.

Weight: 856g
Dimension: 202 x 256 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781636810409