4th International Conference on Braids, Iga

13-18 October 2019
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Lecture Workshop Evening events Exhibition Tour
Keynote
Time Lecturer Title
Mon. 9:00-9:45 Jennie Parry My Obsession with Takadai: Experiments and Innovations
The Takadai is such an amazing piece of equipment; quite simple compared with some looms, yet ingenious. The freedom to experiment and exploit these qualities pierced my very being, and continues to do so. This talk will touch on my explorations of both the equipment as well as the potential unending combinations of unorthodox materials and structures. The scale of work ranges from a few centimetres to two metres tall, from personal adornment to large sculptures. Whilst I have huge respect for the amazing traditional skills, my own work continues on its pioneering and evolving journey, and I wish to share this with fellow braiders at Braids 2019.
 
Time Lecturer Title
Tue. 9:00-9:45 Reiko Sudo Japanese textiles tradition and changes: Textile creations of NUNO
Ａround various parts of Japan, there are scattered textile production areas that have developed with various historical backgrounds of textiles. One of its features is that, under highly specialized division of labor, highly skilled technicians are working with mutual trust. A fabric is completed by going around each factory in one production area. The fabrics designed by NUNO can also be made by collaboration with technicians active in such Japanese production areas. Contemporary fabric creation in Japan cannot be performed independent of the history, culture and industrial structure of Japanese textiles. Rather, it can be said that new creations become possible by studying and using such cultural and historical backgrounds of Japanese textiles. In this talk I would like to introduce the textiles technology and the environment remaining in various places, recalling the record of my journey to the textile production area.
 
Time Lecturer Title
Thu. 9:00-9:45 Susan Foulkes Simple and Complex: The Craft of Weaving Bands in Northern Europe
For many years I have been researching the woven bands from northern European countries. This talk will take you on a journey around eight northern European countries and show examples of the complex and the simple woven bands that I have been privileged to see. We will cover quite a lot of ground, from Norway to Russia and also take a boat trip to the Aran Islands off the coast of Ireland. Visiting museums for research is like a treasure hunt. Museums only have a few of their many items on display. Going behind the scenes and being given access to their store is so exciting. Museum collections grow over time and are dependent on the donations of local people. Usually items accepted by the museum will be the best or most complex pieces of weaving. The simple and everyday can be overlooked and, particularly in the past, not considered worthy of being collected. I would like to share with you the amazing variety of woven bands that I have seen and in many cases woven.
 
Time Lecturer Title
Fri. 9:00-9:45 Makiko Tada Historical Development, Reconstruction and Engineering of Kumihimo
Kumihimo has been developed to meet the requirements of the aristocrat, buddhist and warrior societies resulting in a aesthetic and functional varieties. I would like to introduce the history of Kumihimo in Japan in terms of beauty-functionality relations and theories underlying its evolution. My involvements in reconstruction of the cultural property Kumihmos including scrolls of the national treasure class are explained as an example of analysis for the historical development. A quantitative approach to the reconstruction supported by the modern technologies is emphasized. Applications of Kumihimo composite materials to aircrafts, automotive parts and sports fields are also mentioned.