Sourcing Materials: A Post-apocalyptic Approach to Design Showcase

ARTIST SHOWCASE: Participants will show and share and are invited to display or model their work and discuss the process of reimagining the salvaged materials and creating a wearable piece of art. This will be a gathering to celebrate your creativity in the spirit of Halloween with a fashion show of your creations. 

As we move forward as a society, we are presented with challenges & obstacles we must address & strive to overcome.  Our current industrial production model creates excessive waste, contributes to pollution, the accumulation of plastics in our oceans and waterways, and the unfathomable horrors of climate change. These factors along with increased socio-political unrest, poverty, and the ever increasing population may eventually threaten our global access to the materials and textiles on which our current systems of production and design rely.

As artists, we can choose to create one-of-a-kind items that are coveted, unique and special for our customers.  We can create to specifically address the individual needs and desires of each customer as to their preferences, size, body shape, physical disabilities, and gender. We can not only create products people want, but we have the unique opportunity to create items that break away from the tradition of mass production  that inevitably drives the obsession for more and more stuff at cheaper and cheaper price points.

When we embody the critical role of the artist, we challenge society and drive the industry toward a healthier, more inclusive, and sustainable model that sources textiles from local, and sustainable means.

Since our  current global economic structure overproduces and relies heavily upon cheap labor and imported goods, our most readily available, sustainable local resource happens to be post-consumer waste.

In this series, I’ll  share how creating bespoke pieces using post consumer waste reduces our dependence on mass production, diverts waste from landfills and waterways, challenges our creativity, and fosters inclusivity.

“A Post-apocalyptic Approach to Design” is a three-part series that seeks to equip participants with the ability to reimagine materials  at hand and create a tangible wearable piece of art.

The workshop will take you through the process of selecting your materials, sketching a design, forming a construction plan and ultimately creating a head adornment.

The series will culminate in a Halloween showcase where each participant is invited to display or model their work and discuss the process of reimagining the materials.

You can see more of this Keeva Moselle’s work on Instagram: @keevatheunicornqueen and @realmandreigndesignstudio

This programming is a Portland TextileX Month Distributed Community Project (DCP) funded by a grant by the Multnomah County Cultural Coalition. Each DCP is a distinct collaboration between textile communities and the project facilitators or artists. DCPs are prioritized that are led by or serve historically marginalized or underrepresented communities, that offer open learning and collaboration opportunities, and that speak to this year’s festival theme New Traditions.

THE VIEWING HOURS ARE
Monday – Thursday 11am-7pm
Friday – Saturday 11am – 8pm
Sunday 11am – 6pm

All in-person events must follow the COVID-19 Guidelines below:

• Vaccination is required for in-person events. Organizers may request proof of vaccination at their discretion.
• Please wear a mask at all times, indoors and outdoors.
• Social distancing is required at both indoor and outdoor venues.
• If you are feeling sick, please stay home.
• For more information and on Oregon’s COVID-19 recommendations please refer to CDC guildelines.