Textile-Body-Space

BFA

In a time of physical distance and limited access to workshops, where supervision and examinations have been conducted remotely via video conferencing tools on the computer, this year’s graduating students at the Textile – Body – Space, HDK-Valand Steneby’s Bachelor program have developed their degree projects. Adaptations, revisions and large doses of self-discipline have been required. As a professor and examiner, I have been impressed by the students’ ability to perform, how well they solved the task under prevailing circumstances, and how adversity was worked into constructive solutions. The school’s well-equipped workshops have been periodically replaced with a kitchen table, a neighbor’s abandoned garage or desolate places. 

The students’ work encompasses a wide range in the textile field, which extends from installations, textile objects and performative expressions. This year’s exam projects include site-specific installations where textile techniques are used to process materials and locations available in nature; to artistically examine a gate, an opening; and the exploration of the uncertain as a strategy in an artistic design. One student has worked on compiling fragments of text, textiles, and objects – in installation, image, and in a publication, while another student has focused on the design of textile objects based on a fascination for the unknown. Developing narratives in relation to textile knowledge and textile heritage is another example, as is projecting and shaping the body and what bodily expressions and experiences are contained in such a projection. 

Textiles are so tactile that when I see the students’ work I want to touch. I want to come close, perceive the size and structure of the fabric, understand the construction, experience the works in relation to my own body and take part in all aspects of the work. We can’t do that now. Instead, we get to see the students’ work in a digital format via text and image. A limitation, but in addition the works are available wherever we are – an opportunity to see the students’ work several times – and hopefully the works will reach a new and larger audience. 

Read – watch – enjoy! 

Share! 

Maja Gunn, Professor 

Read more about the MFA Programme Textile – Body – Space: hdk-valand.gu.se/english/education/bachelor-s-programmes/textil-body-space-bfa

 

MFA

We are pleased to present the exam work from the Master Program in Applied Art and Design from HDK-Valand Steneby.  The Master Program is composed of three specializations: Metal Art, Textile-Body-Space and Wood Oriented Furniture Design.  

The work represents the culmination of two years of investigation and is the result of the students’ individual inquiries into a range of explorations. The students represented in this exhibition come from diverse cultural and aesthetic backgrounds and bring an equally broad range of questions to their work.  We see inquiries related to materiality, process, form, behavior and perception. We see questions related to how to and what if.  We are asked and challenged in our perception and experiences of objects and ideas. We are presented with where they are now in their investigations.  We wish to extend our sincere congratulations to them! 

Jeff Kaller, Program Director – Applied Art and Design 

Read more about the MFA Programme in Applied Arts and Design, Textile – Body – Space: hdk-valand.gu.se/english/education/master/textile-body-space-mfa

Steneby Applied Arts and Design Master webpage:  www.material-matters.org