Objective and Context
The project to be implemented in Covilhã, Portugal, builds upon the conceptual and artistic groundwork developed in Budapest, Hungary. Its focus lies in examining remnants of industrialization as indicators of its social and cultural dimensions through a speculative archaeology approach. This involves merging systematic methodologies with poetic and artistic interpretations of material vestiges.
The inquiry begins with exploring derelict industrial sites and their residual ruins in the Óbuda area, followed by engaging with the immaterial presence of workers within a factory still operating its original machines. A tapestry serves as the medium to manifest the aura of these vestiges, symbolizing their intertwined histories.
New Hand Lab, a cultural association housed in a former textile factory in Covilhã, provides the setting for this artistic exploration. Operating with its historical machines in working condition, it offers an environment reminiscent of its active period. This unique combination of preservation and production facilitates contemporary artistic appropriation while bridging the gap between the past and present industrial narratives.
Content and Process
1. Archival Integration
The University of Beira Interior’s museum of wool industry, a repository of interviews conducted since 1987, became a primary source for this project. These testimonies provided not only contextual knowledge but also audiovisual material for incorporation into the artwork. This partnership eliminated the need for additional interviews with former textile workers, allowing greater focus on creating the tapestry.
The project utilized the punch cards that command the loom as a metaphorical bridge between manual craftsmanship and automated production. The cards’ binary language, while cryptic, echoes the broader transition from industrialization to digitalization.
2. Technical and Creative Process
Given the complexities of reprogramming the loom at New Hand Lab, the production process adapted to the constraints. The pre-assembled pattern on the loom served as a foundation for interpreting archival material. This led to a two-phase production approach:
- Mechanical Weaving: Initial production of a tapestry based on existing patterns.
- Manual (Un)Weaving: Subsequent decomposition and manipulation of the tapestry to uncover a tactile memory embedded in its structure.
The process involved selective unweaving, staining, rusting, and integrating punch cards as experimental interventions. This manual engagement with the tapestry allowed for a deeper exploration of its material and symbolic qualities.
3. Experimental Collaboration
Collaboration with Francisco Afonso, president of New Hand Lab, and Rui Venâncio, an experienced weaver, was pivotal. Their expertise facilitated innovative approaches to the loom’s operation and ensured the artwork’s development aligned with the facility’s capabilities.
The period of organizational interruption in August enabled thorough preparations for the next phases, culminating in September with the tapestry’s completion and the integration of its components into the final installation.
Outcomes and Installation
The resulting installation integrates multiple elements to create an immersive experience:
- Main Tapestry: A 3-meter piece, backlit to reveal intricate patterns and textures.
- Audio Component: A soundscape derived from archival interviews, amplified by a wooden resonation box encouraging close engagement.
- Wall Display: Samples and trials from the weaving process, serving as a narrative extension.
- Niche with Found Objects: Elements sourced from the New Hand Lab archives, contextualizing the artwork.
Housed in a furnace room—a site symbolic of historical energy production—the installation juxtaposes industrial remnants with contemporary artistic interpretations. While it benefits from the specificities of the locale, the installation is not site-specific, enabling its narrative to resonate in diverse settings.
Themes and Reflections
The artwork explores the intangible aspects of heritage, likening it to a fluid and elusive substance. The punch cards symbolize the transfer of knowledge from artisans to machines, encapsulating the tension between human ingenuity and technological evolution. This metaphor extends to modern digitalization, where the same linguistic opacity prevails.
Legacy and Future Potential
This project demonstrates the synergy between musealized heritage and its artistic reinterpretation. Its success relied on support from institutions like the University of Beira Interior and New Hand Lab, showcasing the importance of contextually attuned creative processes.
The installation holds potential for further exploration, particularly in contexts unfamiliar with the Portuguese language or textile heritage. This approach could deepen its universal relevance and provoke dialogue about the shared trajectory of industrial and digital transitions.
The project has been a significant milestone, offering invaluable opportunities for collaboration and confidence-building as an emerging artist. It underscores the enduring importance of heritage as both a source of inspiration and a catalyst for contemporary cultural production.
