Data Weave continues work I began in 2001 that reimagines contemporary digital culture through textile arts to create a continuum of traditional and modern art forms and technologies. Applying my process of color encoding binary data to textiles expands fiber art traditions and addresses current preservation challenges faced by digital media. Having been recognized for my work by Ars Technica, Bauhaus Weimar, NCSU, The John Cage Trust and more, I have the opportunity to work one-on-one with computer loom professionals during a four day residency at Tilburg’s TextielLab. Data Weave furthers my practice of using textiles as carriers of information by weaving color encoded data in motifs and illuminates contemporary digital culture’s connection to the history of textile art and production. Working one-on-one with computer loom professionals will provide the precision needed to realize these concepts and techniques in a new series of woven tapestries.
Stuxnet Data Knit throw detail: each stitch is a bit of the Stuxnet binary – photo: Jennifer Casey Scida
Data Weave is a marriage of art forms to the extent that the Jacquard loom’s use of punch cards to weave intricate motifs inspired the use of punch cards for saving and executing programs in early computing. Data Weave extends traditions of embedding symbols in textiles to communicate information by applying my practice of color coding binaries to weaving. This process of encoding data with color produces intricately detailed, cascading motifs that are meant to be woven pixel to stitch. Each pixel represents bits of data showing how weaving can also be understood as pixel art. Furthermore, Data Weavesimultaneously illustrates an alternate way of data preservation and a materialization of digital ephemera by tangibly elucidating data structures with color.
42 page book – Data Knit ed.1 scarf pictured
To produce Data Weave I will travel to Tilburg in the Netherlands where I will work one-on-one with computer loom professionals at the TextielLab. Over four days, I will work on a new series of tapestries each of which will feature unique motifs created with custom software developed specifically for my textile art applications. When production is complete, each tapestry will be finished and prepared for exhibition. Tapestries will then be professionally photographed before returning from the Netherlands.
Data Knit scarves L-R: Malwear ed.3 MYDOOM, Malwear ed.1 Melissa, EXE no.12, EXE no.13
In order to properly realize Data Weave, I need to raise a minimum of $7,500.00. This amount will be used to cover travel, food, accommodation, production cost and materials. Surpassing $7,500.00 will enable me to realize additional works based on concepts I began developing in 2001. With your help, I will be able to bring to life my original vision for tapestries and art fabrics in the 21st century. Thank you for your interest!
Gradient Blankets & detail – photo: Nathaniel Fowler
Light Scan: scan of ambient light woven in cotton