Bark Cloth has found its way into the hands of design students at Parsons, care of Oliver Heintz with Bark Cloth Europe (blog to follow). They have been challenged to with work with the material to create products that are designed with a focus on sustainability. I have enjoyed fielding questions from professors Erika Doering and PJ Carlino over the past few weeks - questions on the history, culture, uses, and material itself. I had a great opportunity to answer questions from their students on Monday, courtesy of Skype.
I am eager to see the results and to include their work in the exhibition in Masaka in a few weeks. One of the goals of this exhibition is to show where bark cloth is being used around the world; the fact that a group of students are engaged in transforming it is very relevant. Because I can't physically take their work, we will have images and material samples to travel to Uganda with us.
One of the questions I asked the students is how much the culture will factor into their design - is it relevant to acknowledge where a material comes from? I look forward to their answers.
1 comment:
Hello to anyone reading this.
My name is Ruth Macdougall and I am a Scottish environmental artist.
I am currently working on an art project in Kampala until the 29th of November, in association with Sheila Nakitende, of @rtpunch studio.
I have been exploring the ancient Celtic Coracle and Curachs (woven, hide covered boats)and am here working with @rtpunch to develop a Coracle specific to Uganda, using only sustainable, local materials.
We are keen to use Bark cloth rather than the Calico or Canvas, which is regularly used to cover the hull of these boats.
The canvas/ calico is normally painted with pitch tar in order to make it tough and waterproof.
Does anyone know what we could use to make the bark cloth a functional, impervious, waterproof membrane?
Many thanks, and good luck with your fantastic project!!
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