Portfolio – Collaborations
Kusari-doi: Resonance of Rain
A cross-country collaboration involving Lyn Christiansen from Massachusetts and Barbara J. Walker from Oregon created a site-specific installation for a historic setting, the Sukodo, Iga Ueno, Japan. The melding of three disparate fiber techniques—ply-splitting, kumihimo (Japanese braiding), and felting—culminated in three rain chains, each with a different aesthetic: the challenge of a lifetime. Give and take, ups and downs, anticipation and excitement during eighteen months of work pushed our creativity beyond our perceived limits.
Ethereal in its peace
Immerses the mind
Haiku by Barbara J. Walker
Ply-split vessels, ‘water’ and ‘chain’ interlacements, sound, and wet felted ‘stones’ comprise three rain chains.
Dimensions average 10’ H x 3” to 6” D. Felted stone bases average 12” L x 12” W
Christiansen: ‘Water’
Narrow-band interlacements made on Japanese braiding stands, remote controlled rain sound WAV files
Artist-dyed silk, rayon, paper, and specialty yarns, wire, ribbon, monofilament, embedded speakers
Walker: Vessels
Ply-splitting, kumihimo, wet felting
Artist-made 4-ply linen and cotton cords, wool fleece
Image ©Duncan Neilson
Image ©Barbara J. Walker
In-studio detail
Image ©Lyn Christiansen
Exhibition detail images
©Barbara J. Walker
First came Alice’s cloth and book. Then I worked to capture the essence of her cloth to design cords and create the book’s ply-split band. The book structure determined whether I created the band and sent it to Alice, or Alice’s book came to me to attach cords and ply-split the band in situ.
Aristotle’s words describe our books best: “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.”
REFOLIATION
6.25” H x 6” W x 1.25” D
Handwoven jacquard cover, longstitch binding by Alice Schlein
Cotton, waxed linen, acid-free paper
Ply-split passementerie band, Turk’s head knot by Barbara J. Walker
Artist-made 4-ply cotton cords
$400
Images ©Barbara J. Walker
POLARITY
9” H x 6.5” W x 3” D each
Handwoven dobby cloth covers, longstitch bindings by Alice Schlein
Cotton, hemp, waxed linen, acid-free paper
Ply-split band by Barbara J. Walker
Artist-made 4-ply cotton cords, washers
$1200
Images ©Barbara J. Walker
YETTA’S LACE
9.75” H x 6.75” W x 1.5”D
Handwoven jacquard cover, longstitch binding by Alice Schlein
Cotton, hemp, waxed linen, acid-free paper
Ply-split passementerie band, Turk’s head knot by Barbara J. Walker
Artist-made 4-ply cotton and viscose cords
$425
Images ©Barbara J. Walker