Solar Textiles

Harvesting the sun's energy via the clothes on our backs, two University of Wisconsin professors work to advance solar textiles.

      photos by Jeff Miller

Featured
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Seed by Seed, Ho-Chuck Banner on Bascom Hall
Seed by Seed, Ho-Chuck Banner on Bascom Hall

I was part of a team which created special banners to commemorate the 175th anniversary of the University of Wisconsin. I worked with doctoral student @mollipauliot (Ho-Chunk) and Art Dept Professor @stephen_hilyard to create images
based on Ho-Chunk beading.
 
Molli and I first came together around a shared interest in the language and structures of textiles, basketry, and natural fibers. Using these shared interests, we created a design for the banners that celebrate the technical skill of the handmade. This abstract visual language is at the heart of textile forms and innovation, which is possible when we apply this knowledge to create solution-based designs and beautiful objects. Hilyard created a software workflow involving polygonal modeling and instancing to create a 3D digital model of the 160,000 beads in the banner. The final image was digitally rendered from this model. Developing ideas for honoring the Ho-Chunk Nation and the university’s commitment to Our Shared Future, this design team recognizes the past while focusing on future community building between these two forces. 
 
The banner design project incorporates Our Shared Future concepts as a learning opportunity while including Ho-Chunk design, the sacredness of this land, and community building between the university and Ho-Chunk Nation.
 
Our Shared Future is a process, not a land acknowledgement or something to recite. It is a collective act of moving forward together from ignorance to awareness;  an educational framework for posing questions; and an opportunity to celebrate Ho-Chunk people,
as well as learn about the hard truths of our histories with them.
It is a challenge to educate ourselves and each other, and create a better future together. 

#textiles 
#hochunk #nativeamerican #beadwork @uwmadison

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