Communal Weaving
It begins with an invitation.
Since 2014, Sohani has been facilitating "open-air art studios" for communal weaving. By building site-specific structures, she offers the public an opportunity to interact with the hand-weaving process, each other, and themselves.
Using recycled silk and banana fibers from Nepal and India, hand-spun and hand-dyed by women's co-ops in the same region, passers-by are invited to choose a color and add a piece of texture to complete the communal tapestry or fiber sculpture. These works have been created at art events, education workshops, and nonprofit programs throughout Southern California.
Allowing the senses of sight and touch as the guide, spontaneity and imagination is encouraged. There are no rules.
“Weaving Paths” - A Jessica Chappe Film
Filmed by Jessica Chappe, with original music by harpist and singer, Livia Reiner, we follow this communal piece “Weaving Paths” through four Southern California locations - Burton Flagship Store - Melrose, Metabolic Studio, DaFUNction - The Ron Finley Project (Inglewood Public Library), and the iconic Santa Monica Beach.
Video and Weaving Installation at The Church Troy for Four-D Projects (Troy, NYC). Group Show titled “Devotional” (08.25.18 - 09.14.18).
This exhibition comprised of 30 responses to the questions What are you holding on to? What’s holding on to you?
Click here for press release and photos.
Artist Statement by Jessica Chappe: “Since there are no rules in this practice of communal weaving, it enters into the realm of free will and choice. Sohani created an interactive space that can be taken anywhere and anyone can approach and relate to it. Weaving removes boundaries between strangers and places the participants on common ground allowing the narratives of each individual to connect through the layers of yarn they select and the stories they share. “Weaving Paths” brings this tapestry to life through the locations and history of the hands that took part in creating it. The malleable shared safe space created through Sohani’s communal weaving fascinates me.”
“Weaving Community” - an after school program with Imaginese
Filmed by Imaginese Productions at Bresee Community Center, originally presented at Laemmle Royal Theatre as part of “Creative Consumption” hosted by Sir Ken Robinson - globally renowned thought leader in education and business with the most watched TED talk in history “Do Schools Kill Creativity?” The evening highlighted cutting-edge approaches to community empowerment with dialogue from socially engaged artists, educators and entrepreneurs. All proceeds supported Imaginese Education Programs, providing leadership development for at-risk youth through the arts.