A tactile journey through the world of fibres

We spend most of our life in contact with fiber. Our clothes, bed sheets, towels are made of textiles from all over the world. For many of us, however, the experience of textile has become dominated by synthetics. Synthetic fibres derived from oil (also known as plastic) account for two thirds of all textile produced…

We spend most of our life in contact with fiber. Our clothes, bed sheets, towels are made of textiles from all over the world. For many of us, however, the experience of textile has become dominated by synthetics. Synthetic fibres derived from oil (also known as plastic) account for two thirds of all textile produced today. We rarely get to touch unadulterated wool that is not mixed with plastic or chemically treated to be more like plastic. Even cotton is steadily being displaced. Linen and hemp are marginal and hundred of other fibres are virtually unknown.

I am working on an interactive piece that will let people touch and feel (and smell!) a variety of animal-based and plant-based fibres. Some of these fibres are as old as civilization, others are the product of new technologies that transform unexpected fibrous plants into material that can be used like any of other fibre. I look forward to sharing more on the fibres and hope it will encourage you to learn more about the diversity of fibres out there and how they impact our environment and economies.