Common Threads: Weaving Community through Collaborative Eco-Art

by Sharon Kallis, Jenny Craig (Reader)

A guide to creating community-based art installations using green waste, invasive species and natural materials Disposing of unwanted natural materials can be expensive and time-consuming, or it can present a tremendous opportunity for creating collaborative eco-art. Invasive-species control, green-waste management, urban gardening, and traditional crafts can all be brought together to strengthen community relationships and foster responsible land stewardship. Simple, easily taught, creative techniques applied with shared purpose become the modern-day equivalent of a barn raising or a quilting bee. Common Threads is a unique guide to engaging community members in communal handwork for the greater good. Sharon Kallis provides a wealth of ideas Combining detailed, step-by-step instructions with tips for successful process and an overview of completed projects, Common Threads is a different kind of weaving book. This inspirational guide is designed to help artists and activists foster community, build empowerment, and develop a do-it-together attitude while planning and implementing works of collaborative eco-art. Sharon Kallis is a Vancouver artist who specializes in working with unwanted natural materials. Involving community in connecting traditional hand techniques with invasive species and garden waste, she creates site-specific installations that become ecological interventions. Her recent projects include The Urban Weaver Project, flax=food+fibre, and working closely with fiber artists, park ecologists, First Nations basket weavers, and others.

Genres: Art

288 pages, Paperback

First published October 20, 2014

Reviews

[Mila · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the section on weaving baskets with blackberry vines.

[Ash · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was most definitely a skim rather than a read. I appreciate the ideas, but I found the book quite dull.

[Clivemichael · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent intro and guide to engaging with all the players. Some great photos, and instructions.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book, and fits very well with the maker and craftivist books I have been reading to explore what is happening in this space. This is a book about collaborative eco-art, focused on great work happening in Canada. Some of involves using invasive plants in a way which removes them, but also stabilises land. There is a lovely example of knitting ivy for this purpose. This books has lovely examples of eco art, as well a many hints and tips for running successful community collaborations in this space. I was very interested by the local government tie in as well.

Many of these works could be part of local studies work with the community as art techniques are learned and shared, as people talk about plants and about the spaces. I really liked the environmental focus and being able to see photographs of the art works as well as the garden spaces. This book highlighted the value of long term collaboration. An excellent read.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have just returned the copy I had borrowed from the VPL. However I just ordered my own copy from Indigo books. Think it will be a good reference for my creative endeavours.

Have decided to buy the book as it is such a great reference for the things I am interested in and the kind of things I like to make