Trasmatta

Elizabeth collected the yarn made from the various circles and on the Summer Solstice 2021 wove 2 trasmatta in one sitting! This completed the project, a year later.

Title: Distancio 2020-21

Measurement: 70 x 270 cm + fringe

Technique: spetskypert

Material: rags cut from clothes in different materials

By Mark Rautenbach, Elisabeth Linderfalk and a number of Tranås residents

Artist Talk

 

Installation: Smatten Gallery 21 October 2020

Today the project culminates with an exhibition of the work, video slide-show of the circles and an artist talk.

Anna Viola Hallberg, curator and director of Distancio, installed the worked generated during the circles. The street window draws attention by a video installation that Anna made. This video (above) is a slide show documenting the various stages during the circles. The images were taken by participants.

I am thrilled by Anna's installation. The exhibition draws the viewer in from the street using the video, and the unravelling of balls of yarn. The linear, drawing aspect continues throughout the show. Identities (filleted garments) exploded open in the four window vitrines. Stories (balls of yarn) unravel, supporting and stretching open the identities. The space is charged with movement, flow and change. 

Running alongside and opposite the display windows is a wall of clothing. This came as a complete surprise! We were unware that the gallery space shared this gifting wall, Snälla Väggen. On the wall there are rows of coat hooks. This is a designated public space in Tranås where unwanted clothing can be placed, and needed clothing can be removed! This is another delightful unexpected turn in the unfolding of the project. Not only does this element provide something visually compelling, a wall of clothing contrasted by window displays of exploding deconstructed garments, it also feeds in to the content of togetherness, compassion and care.

  

Circle 007, 30 September 2020

 The final circle, comprising of three participants.

There were expert yarn makers in this circle! Elizabeth from the second circle at Mårdastugan had formed this circle. The circles formed by word of mouth. People who had participated in previous circles formed their own group. A key aspect to the project; by sharing experience people come together. Nothing was advertised. This means things take longer to gain momentum, and for word to get out.

The venue is a place where weaving is done, and I think all the participants were weavers. During our chatting it was suggested that the balls of yarn produced during the project be the material from which a trasa matta (ragrug) be woven. This mat would be the 'sculpture' of the project. Elizabeth said she was willing to facilitate the weaving at Mårdastugan.

I love this idea, especially as it emerged from the process of the project and that the ragrug is a traditional and well known technique in Sweden. I had no prior knowledge of this. Elizabeth said younger people show no interest in the tradition, hopefully some of the teenagers from the Epic sessions will be curious. 

 

Although U[ntelling]s[tories] was truncated by covid, and technology had to be employed, I believe the project was successful. I was lucky to catch a glimpse into the world of Tranås and I hope some day I get to visit. 

Reflection:

It felt like the project was beginning to gain some traction, which could have developed into something more substantial. I was learning on my feet with the remote techno aspect and need to develop more skill in this department. 

The interactions felt meaningful. Participants were present and willing to engage and share. We came together and produced something bigger than ourselves. 

The idea to make a ragrug with the yarn is the cherry on the top.

This ties the project, which is international, global and universal; the stories we form identities from, to something local and specific;  Tranås, Sweden and the tradition of the trasa matta. This emerged from the project. It was not contrived nor anticipated. I feel blessed that this be the outcome. It comes as a gift in spite of limitations. The power of art and human connectedness shines through.

Circle 006 18 September 2020

 

Two teenagers participated in this circle, a girl from the previous session brought another friend along. We communicated via text.

I was taught some Swedish words: hej/hello, adjö/goodbye, vad heter du/what is your name, sax/scissors, kläder/clothes.

We laughed a lot and the teenagers seemed to be having fun. The session ran for nearly 2 hours, and that was too long. My remote facilitation skills are lacking; I find it difficult to gauge things, not being physically present.

Circle 005, 16 September 2020

Two teenagers arrived for todays session. There was much laugher and they were committed to see the task to the end. Later that evening one of the girls repeated the entire process by herself at home!

I am deliberately keeping participants identity anonymous especially the younger ones. I only mention people by name if I have their permission to do so. A huge shoutout to Sören for his facilitation, attention and presence. His commitment to Service is inspiring.

 

To paint a picture of how these sessions have been.

Epic, the youth center, where the last three session have been, is very noisy. As a result participants strain to hear me. Coupled with English as a second language, talking is awkward and frustrating. The teenagers did give me some lessons in Swedish! Not much verbal communication takes place. Visually, most of the time, from my side, I look into a vacant screen, as the participants are out of viewing range! In spite of this, I did sense togetherness and presence.

This has led me to reflect on the broader scope of the Distancio project. My take on the project is...'The vision of Distancio draws people of disparate [global] and specific [local] places together. Art is used to navigate ways through the dis-location and tensions arising from globalization and its chafing the local.'

Technology has been a major force in the 'globalising' of humanity. What gets lost or sacrificed in the process is the local. I define the local as the specific locality/geography of my physical, cultural and psycho/spiritual centre of gravity. This is anchored in my body and a specific geography. By beaming ourselves into tiny bits through the cyber-sphere not only do we sacrifice our locality, we loose our bodies. We become disembodied. Without my body I loose my Self.

Identity politics seems to attempt to address this. But by attempting to create belonging through socio-political means, a terrifying form of tribalism has been created. It's attempting to address things from the outside. Real change only happens from the inside. This is why culture and spirituality is so very important. Unfortunately the commanding general of I.P. is Political Correctness, a cultural strategy which effectively snuffs the psycho/cultural/spiritual spaces were Humanity's immune system is rooted. I have found identity to separate and not include, hence Untelling Stories.

Currently there is much critical discussion in the media about the effects of technology and especially social media impact on our psyches. Maybe a deep dive into the Prometheus myth can guide us.

Circle 004, 15 September 2020

 

I met again with one of the facilitators, Sören at Epic, the youth centre. Our intention was for him to make yarn and in this way encourage, entice and attract the teenagers into participating in the project. Sören who is delightfully energetic and enthusiastic was being constantly called to attend to other duties. This left me communicating to various youths via Zoom. I was making yarn myself, discussing the project, chatting and encouraging them to participate the following day by bringing an item of their own clothing. 

Communicating and attempting to gather a group of very energetic 14 year olds via Zoom, is more challenging than herding cats! This communication has opened me to a number of issues; I became critically aware of how vulnerable youths are and SO open to manipulation and suggestion. Its a real eye opener, and emphasises the necessity for regulation around youth and technology, especially social media. If I was a parent I would be beside myself.

 

Circle 003, 11 September 2020

 

I had a meeting with Kultivera, the organisation hosting the residency at the youth centre, Epic, in Tranås to discuss a way forward with the project and how to include youths. Epic has facilities like WiFi, a cafeteria, games and TV; a venue for teenagers to come and hang out. Our meeting turned into a spontaneous yarn making session with two teenagers who were curious about what was going on in the zoom meeting. A shirt, not theirs, was produced and they started cutting. They however soon became bored and quickly disappeared. I then spoke to one of the facilitators of the venue about the possibility of making craft circles happen at the centre. We meet later today (Monday) to continue the discussion.

Reflections on the project as a remote, virtual experience.

What is core to the project is people coming together to share stories. By coming together something larger than the individuals is born; something synergistic. The intention of the group is to make art, cut through distance and separation and become aware of the stories that identities are made from. Perhaps these stories are limiting and can be unravelled. Perhaps new stories are formed. Perhaps no story is necessary. The yarn making embodies this. It happens by being in a body with other bodies in a particular space. And in this case, the stories which become the town, Tranås.  

My experience of technology as the medium of coming together, is that synergy does NOT happen. There is disruption, separation and lack of connection. If the medium is the message then the message is: we humans are NOT video, nor are we photographs. If we lose sight of this we loose our humanity. As a friend commented on a post in Instagram; ...not the greatest way to be present.

I continue with this remote version, and perhaps there will be some kind of breakthrough.

Circle 002, 4 August 2020

With the lovely weather on the day, our second craft circle took place in the garden of Mårdastugan, a restored building were the people from an organization called Omställning Tranås [facebook link] meet every Tuesday. I learned that this handsome building has been respectfully restored using traditional carpentry techniques. Two of the carpenters were part of the circle, along with 4 other participants.

Elizabeth made yarn from an old shirt she wore when working at the theatre in Tranås. She saved the label from the yarn making. Her story also unravels how the theatre has been closed during this covid time. She also took us inside Mårdastugan and demonstrated some weaving on a impressive loom. She was weaving a rag-mat which is woven from from strips cut from old clothing and household linen. The projects yarn making technique really finds a home here! 

Matilda made yarn from a her knitting bag; which has contained other yarns and various other projects worked on during her daily travels.

Suzanne made yarn from curtaining. That bee!

The collection of balls of yarns produced during this circle. It was decided to keep the balls separate. Making one large ball may be impressive, but evidence of the individual contributions get lost.

 

My shirt from my fiftieth birthday celebration.

Some reflections: If the circles continue like this, I'll be very lucky to have a personalised and intimate remote tour through Tranås!

Not everyone speaks English. Again this casts a light on verbal conversation, the stories, the yarns; a key aspect of the work. And again I am reminded that this is art making and art speaks in different tongues. 

A few years back I came up with the term: menditations; as the word suggests, combines mending and meditation and opens up to more interpretation. The sitting with, rather than achieving, without goal. The conversation without words; the language of art and togetherness.

First craft circle - 18 June 2020

There were four participants, five including myself. Three participants in one space. Two remote, via zoom.

I was moved and touched by the willingness and enthusiasm of the participants. 

Initially I thought it was important and necessary to instigate 'word' conversation. I witnessed (and was given feedback) that the conversation was already happening through the body, through action! This is why we make art! Art gets us to tap into some arterial 'flow' that we are all fluent in. That there is no need for interpretation nor explanation. It's understood.

Huge gratitude for your willingness, enthusiasm and participation.

Turns out that making yarn from old clothing is nothing new to Sweden. Matilda pointed this out to me and photographed her ball of yarn above a 'rag-mat', which has been woven out of strips cut from old clothing and household linen.

Invitation for first craft circle

Dear ...

You are hereby invited to be part of the first U(ntelling) s(tories) craft circle in Tranås!

Your craft circle initiates the three month run of performances for Distancio - Tranås. 

I am very grateful for your willingness and enthusiasm to participate and initiate.

 

 

Scheduled time: 11 am

Date: 18 June 2020

Venue: 

1) Somewhere that you feel relaxed and comfortable

2) Has some work surfaces

3) Laptop or Desktop with internet access

Zoom access code: to be announced

 

Length of performance: roughly 2 hours, likely to be less

 

Please bring: 

1) A used article of clothing that you are willing to donate to the project. 

This garment may hold some memories or story; can be anything from a sock to a t-shirt.  

2) A pair of scissors

3) Some tasty refreshments

 

Contact: 

Email: marksplendid@yahoo.co.uk

WhatsApp: +27 (0)823503650

Messenger: mark.rautenbach.330