A series of textiles that like coulisse introduce the interior space in stages. From a distance, the panels form a whole; closer to the façade and inside, vistas emerge.
The work makes visible outside what is done inside: art made.
It combines existing wood print blocks from Parijat Studio's archive with new blocks drawn by me. Weaving and block printing together form layering of colours.
The whole thing is made up of a mix of handwriting that I wanted to add to the street. As a gesture of openness.
Weaving byVankar Krishna Velji & Vankar Suresh Parbat
Block making by Harish Maniram
Block Printing by Parijat Studio
Coordination in Gujarat, India, by Eline Groeneweg Bhatt
Confection by Aleid Zinsmeister
The textilework opened at the first COOKBOOK event, end 2023. COOKBOOK is a seasonal dinner and art expression, that I organize for the neighborhood, together with some neighbors. Each time another neighbor brings a recipe, that will be cooked together. Each time also poem, song or other piece of art will be part of the evening.
We’ll do this for 5 years. After these 5 years the 20 recipes will be bundled in a book. A cookbook, as a portrait of a neighbourhood.
On the right: poster to announce the dinners. Each letter O will hold a menu eventually.
On the right: The Octo figure is a symbol of COOKBOOK and stands for the freedom of identity and the ability of staying flexible. I believe sharing time together allows for each other to be present, as one is at that moment, and to keep finding ways of understanding.
Octoworld
Octo lives on the inside of the world. He never gets up or goes to sleep. He floats.
The door to the outside is always open. When he looks outside, his body follows by itself.
Outside is the open sea. Octo swims towards the light. On the way, he sees starfish, a little horse, a fish wearing a grey suit and dolphins. The starfish lifts an arm, Octo waves back. The little horse looks up and wobbles off. The fish with the suit changes lane. The dolphins are clicking and disappear for a moment, only to return with a splash.
Octo doesn't know how far from home he wants to go. He wishes the house and the sea belonged together.
Shall I sit on the threshold? That's where the sea and the house meet.
Octo sings.
In the distance, he sees the reef. Would she hear him?
