SOCIAL WEAVING PROJECT THAILAND
2018/19
In collaboration with The Chaipattana Foundation
​
As part of a semester abroad in Bangkok, Thailand, I worked with the Chaipattana Foundation, a royal foundation founded by the late King, which is responsible for development projects throughout the country. I developed weaving designs for a rug and taught them to women in the weaving community Ban Nong Khaen in Surin. I presented the first results to the foundation‘s patron and princess of Thailand, Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.
My design focus was on the fusion of natural Asian materials and aesthetics and reduced geometrical simplicity. The interaction and mostly non-verbal communication with the Thai women enriched the designs and had an impact on my view of design. I captured these thoughts in an essay about the non/importance of the use of language
in social design with the focus on weaving. The product development and production is still ongoing.
​
Materials: cotton, (dyed) reed, vetiver, nylon warp
​
Location: Surin, Thailand
​