Jeanette
Appleton - MAY
The opportunity to participate on this
project has come at a time when I have become interested in
how dialogue can play a part in the creative process. I have
recently worked and exhibited with three textile artists in
each members countries. The time was limited, so the chance
to work over a twelve week block with one artist was very
appealing. To gradually reveal a dual dialogue of opposites
to reflect differences within a secure framework. Also knowing
that six other partners were going through the process in
their own way, and in turn revealing the various outcomes.
My initial expectations from the scheme
before even making contact with Naoko was:
• To explore the role of historical
and contemporary cloth between East and West as carriers of
meaning through memory and ritual.
• Compare and contrast our ongoing concepts and technique
to develop new approaches towards a collaborative work for
the exhibition.
• Sharing the experience of displacement and what is
simulated from a new environment and culture. Considering
the view of the tourist and the resident.
• The time to evaluate and act on each stage by different
methods of documentation, which in itself could be an important
element of the work.
• Evaluating my role as an advisor rather than a tutor,
considering new aspects of revealing individual uniqueness
and potential for further educational programmes.
At present I have no permanent base,
so Naoko has had to follow my Nomadic schedule. It provides
us both with new environments and experiences to discuss.
This also bought in new partnerships as my workshop hosts
were asked to accommodate Naoko.
1-5-03
Our first meeting was at Bankfield Museum in Halifax where
I had just completed the ‘Felt Crossing Borders’
project and giving workshops alongside the exhibition. It
was an opportunity for Naoko to see my work in context of
other makers after engaging with the site. [Jorie Johnson
USA/Japan; May Jacobsen Hvistendahl, Norway and Lene Nielsen,
Denmark]. We will both be working in this area later in June/July.
We visited friends who breed Texel sheep
near Hebden Bridge, as Naoko is interested in different wool
types. Having a delightful evening, in spite of the rain,
discussing sheep over a meal in the Yorkshire farmhouse.
The first mentor session was in the education
room at Bankfield museum where June Hill kindly displayed
part of their collection of lace and embroidered textiles.
It was a pleasure to see Naoko’s work and hear the narrative
of ideas. Gradually we realised our common and different interests
within the concepts and technique:
• The collection of used cloth:
Naoko uses handkerchiefs from her own personal collection
but I buy other peoples scarves in charity shops as I travel.
• Transfer printing: Naoko has been transferring by
hand using liquid for a shadow effect. I use the heat transfer
print for a stronger shape to create depth of space.
• Felting technique: Naoko creates soft textured layers
by using natural fleece. I prefer the firmer surface using
processed merino wool tops.
• Colour: Naoko’s use of faded colour to provoke
internal memory compared to my strong colours inspired from
external journeys and places.
• Concepts: Naoko considers the notion of time with
the body and I with distance and place.
It was a constructive start and we are grateful to Calderdale
Council, Yorkshire Arts and Bankfield Museum for their support.
6-5-03
The following afternoon we gave a presentation
to the textile students at the University of Huddersfield.
Using the out line above as the main focus which was illustrated
by our actual work. We were very pleased to hear that funding
for our residency through June and July was successful. Which
is the result of the enthusiasm and time spent by the Creative
Textile course tutors Penny McBeth and Sophia Malik Stephenson.
This enables Naoko and I to have a permanent studio base with
access to an industrial needle felt machine and a heat transfer
printing press.
Returning to the London area via the
M1, we were able to discuss our first session, as the grey
stone walls disappeared to lush green hedges full of May blossom.
9-5-03
Naoko and I met again at the Festival Hall where we had a
meeting with Lesley Millar. It was a good opportunity to see
our contribution and future activities within the larger picture
of the whole project. We continued to West Sussex where I
was to take a workshop at West Dean College and the Continuing
Education Department generously offered free accommodation.
This was an excellent chance for Naoko to experience a very
different environment to the north and visit the Tapestry
workshops.
Caron Penney and Philip Sanderson explained
the current tapestry commissions and Pat Taylor introduced
the Diploma students, with her own work in progress. They
took the time to share with clarity, the depth of meaning
in both the drawing/design process and tapestries. We were
grateful for their time in their busy schedules for an insight
to the exciting work being produced, especially as the students
approach their final show next month.
Naoko joined in the workshop and the
participants enjoyed her company. We had interesting discussions
within this grand English mansion with beautiful views and
walks through wide open spaces and gardens. Having the mentor
sessions in different places brings up issues other than in
the work itself, extending personal ideas. Whether curled
up on a large settee in the oak panelled sitting room or striding
through the bluebell woods and sheep scattered landscape.
This initial research time has given us both food for thought
to simulate through the working session in Huddersfield University
next month.
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Naoko
Yoshimoto - May
Jeannette and I corresponded via email
from the November 2002 to the April 2003. this correspondence
was meant to be a starting point for our project. We mainly
discussed our interests and the schedule for the project.
I want to present one of our correspondence which shows
my idea towards the forth-coming project.
’Dear Jeanette
I have been thinking about my expectations from the scheme,
and I have some which are:
"TO CULTIVATE OR EXTEND MY THOUGHTS OF TEXTILE AND MEMORY"
I have been interested in two kinds of relationship between
textile and memory as following.
Firstly textile as a carrier of our
memory. It is widely known textile has a great relationship
with our bodies by protecting them from exterior dangers and
change of temperature or humidity. But we are protected not
only physically but also mentally. It often acts like a friend
who comforts us in hard time. For example, handkerchiefs soak
up our tears, blankets give so much peace that some infants
won’t leave them or often suck them. Then there are
traces, such as spots, holes, or tears which are left on textile
and showing that we are sharing our memories and secrets with
textile. Even if we no longer remember our own memories, textile
knows them showing evidence that we lived in the traces we
leave behind. (image close up of dress)
My second interest is in the transition
of textile into a metaphor for memory. As time passes a textile
is broken into pieces and finally into fibres, in which we
can no longer find shape and meaning but feel only its texture.
Memory is very similar in transition to textile. Memory has
clear visual image at beginning, but in the end is turned
into only texture when it touches my mind.
These are my present interests. I would
like to know more of the deeper relation between textile and
memory by looking at many textiles that have been soaked with
memories.
" TO IMPROVE MY TECHNIQUES : ESPECIALLY
PRINTING TECHNIQUE"
I often print photos on various kinds
of cloth. The technique I have used is transfer print with
thinners, but this is for fine flat clothes and not suitable
for felt or rough cloth. If I can find another printing technique,
I may be able to print better quality photos on more types
of materials.
I am interested in lace, too. So if I
have a chance, I would like to watch lacework or lacing.
Above are all the expectations that I
have. When I find other ones, I will tell you. Please take
care yourself, because you are always on the move. I appreciate
you for checking e-mails in spite of being out.
I am looking forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely.
Naoko Yoshimoto’
(Summery of my journey)
I arrived Leeds airport on the 1st of May and met Jeannette
at the airport for the first time. I stayed in Halifax between
1st to the 6th. We had a first meeting on the 5th. I went
to London on the 7th and stayed there for few days. Went to
West Dean on the 10th and spent few days there as well.
The second meeting was on the 11th.
Went back to London on the 13th and stayed there until the
26th.
I met Jeannette for the very first time
at the airport on the 1st of May. When we were approaching
the town of Halifax, I could see the whole view from the distance.
It looked mysterious to me, in the dark. I was excited. For
the first two weeks, we spent so much time together having
meals and taking walks, to search for our similarities and
the differences. In Halifax, we visited the area where the
old mills still remains. Also I went to Bankfield Museum.
Then we moved to West Dean next. In West Dean, I mostly spent
my time in the West Dean College. They had wonderful tapestries
and the studio for it.
I went to London alone for the research
afterwards. I stayed at Lizzie’s house, where I experienced
what I thought was English lifestyle. I went to many galleries
and museums there.It was all new experiences for me since
I came in England. Everything I saw on the way to Halifax
to London, expressed the depth of the culture and the history.
However I felt a little nostalgic to all these though this
was the first time for me come here and meet all these people
I met during this first journey. It would be the dandelions
which were slightly bigger than the ones in Japan, the selvedges
of old fabrics in the markets, Lizzie’s old family photographs
or the mourning jewelry at V&A. The history behind the
articles and my story intertwined intricately. It might have
recalled certain something in my mind. Or maybe, I found something
which could be universal to all human beings. It was very
intriguing experience to feel nostalgic by seeing things for
the first time.
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