Hybrid Basketry at Origin

A basket is a bowl is a hat is a ball is a bird is a cage is a bin is a basket…

Working with the idea that you can weave a basket with almost anything and in so many different ways, Shane Waltener lead an interactive project at Origin in October 2009 at Somerset House, London. Visitors had the opportunity to customise basketware and contribute to a woven sculptural installation. Basketry items were stripped, transformed, passed on to others, and incorporated into a growing display in the Crafting Space at the fair. Salvaged basketware,domestic items and a variety of materials ranging from natural fibres to plastics were used as weaving materials.

The installation blended the sculptural with the functional. Various techniques of weaving, knotting, stitching, plaiting and netting were introduced on a daily basis, making a connection between a range of applied arts traditions and basketry. The communal making and time spent weaving aimed to prompt a renewed engagement and enthusiasm in basketry, and making in general.

For more information on the event, visit the following link, or read the following article.

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Tibby Place, Greenman Street, Islington N1
5 July 2010 - 31 July 2010

The Hanging Garlands of Tibby Place was an interactive and participatory installation at Tibby Place using the existing iron framework that remains of old Tibberton Baths as a loom.

Tibberton Baths were built in 1897, known to locals as "the Tib", they were popular swimming baths until 1982. Now all that remains is the iron framework which stands as a curious monument to the former pool, and became the temporary framework for Waltener's performative and participatory installation. Web like patterns were woven in and around the structure over the course of the month by participants and dancers physically created the woven interventions through a contemporary twist on the traditional "maypole" type of performance. See the events page for more information.

This art work is one of a series of Secret Garden Projects commissioned by Islington Council.

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