Woven

A study of the intertwined histories of fiber & computing

Woven is a collection of research and experiments performed over a 9-week period. My goal was to better understand the relationship between traditional textile craft and computing. I chose to focus on the history of weaving and its role in the invention of the first computer.

woven

Preservation

My first experiment focused on weaving as an ancestor of computing. I found broken and discarded circuit boards, and chose to preserve them in the form of a tapestries. I hoped to draw attention to the design and craftsmanship of the boards, which feature many components that were soldered by hand.

Daily Mini Tapestries

During my research I was challenged to come up with a daily practice. I chose to weave a tapestry every day. In order to make that feasible, I designed my own mini looms, which I made from acrylic and wood using a laser cutter.

Weaving Circuits

I also experimented by weaving with conductive materials. Learning about the woven structure made it easier to envision how circuitry could be integrated in order to produce e-textiles.

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