Lifetime Of Textiles

In the first lecture for this module we started off with a very open theme. The idea was with the contact of textiles through a lifetime, from birth to death. We were asked to describe our lives in this way. We were divided into small groups and drew out a timeline to show the textiles we have been in contact with. This task was very interesting, and quite surprising. We listed textiles from our first baby grow we wore, to the carpets we’ve placed our feet on.

The course I am on now, encourages creativity personality within textiles, which made me realise how much I had forgotten about textiles as a necessity. We need “textiles” in order to go on with our every day life. They provide luxury items, such as; handbags, jewellery and cushions. However they also provide things we would otherwise take for granted, such as shower curtains, dishcloths and nappies.

Although everybody has to touch textile items at some point through their day or life, different countries, religions and cultures handle slightly different forms. Some cultures have certain textile properties near them as a ritual. For instance in Iceland, it would be necessary to wear extremely warm clothing in order stay alive, let alone comfortable. A complete contrast against countries like England and America who wear clothing mostly for fashion, having the choice to wear what they choose.

Many factors led me to ask the question, “What is textiles?” Textiles is such a wide spread term, usually meant for anything tactile. Generally knitted, woven, constructed fabrics would come to mind when you textiles. Textile artists use a range of mixed media in their ‘textile’ approach to art, wood, nails or even flies?! Therefore textiles seem to mean different things to different people and their professions. My evaluation of the world 'textile', would be a substance that is usually attractive or textural, and generally has a purpose.

After completing the timeline, our group came to the conclusion that up until the age we are now, we’ve all be in contact with relatively similar fabrics and materials. The age we are now is the age where we have more choice in what we come in contact with. In our childhood, we tended to use things because it was appropriate for children, or we needed to. When you reach the start of adulthood, there are many more decisions laid out and options to take. We can decide for ourselves, what we want to come in contact with in our lives.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cloth_800.jpg