Research project
Frustrated by the need to import materials from distant countries and searching for a deeper connection to artistic materials, the "Slow Mode" project involves cultivating a selection of fiber and dye plants from seeds, which are then processed and used to create artworks. The project attempts to answer the question: Can my artistic practice have a positive impact on the environment?
In the Gäuggeliquartier in Chur, a field of Linum usitatissimum, flax, is planted in a 25 m² garden bed. A variety of dye plants are cultivated in an adjacent bed. The varieties were selected for their resilience to hot, dry summers and require no artificial irrigation after the initial sowing. The flowers of the plants attract pollinators, the seeds provide food for birds, and their roots improve soil structure and fertility. The goal is to introduce reciprocity into the process of art production, a balance of giving and taking.
Once the flax is ready for harvest, it is pulled by hand, bundled, and hung to dry. When the time for processing arrives, the bundles are laid out flat and retted. The seeds are harvested, the stems are broken and combed to obtain the fibers, which are then spun into yarn and woven into textiles.