The 10th International Shibori Symposium (10iss) in Oaxaca in November was spread over several venues. Most were in the centre of town, but the Centro de las Artes de San Agustin (CASA), about 45 minutes’ drive from the centre, was the location for many of the workshops and exhibitions.
This post will feature the exhibitions in and around CASA – be warned that there are lots of photos!
CASA is a former cotton mill that was converted into a stunning arts centre by local artist Francisco Toledo in 2000. Its hilltop location gives amazing views, and it has two exhibition halls and smaller rooms for running workshops.
There are also some interesting sculptural plants!
Indigo Earth: Shibori Kimono, Past and Present
This exhibition, curated by Yoshiko Nakamura and Consortium Arimatsu Narumi, featured a selection of historical and modern Japanese indigo-dyed kimono from Arimatsu and Narumi in Japan.
Optica and Haptica
This exhibition showcased 12 pieces of clothing designed by Mexican designer Carla Fernandez, highlighting connections between the Mexican and Japanese traditions of ikat (known as jaspe in Mexican and kasuri in Japan).
The contemporary garments were wonderful, combining Japanese silhouettes and designs with traditional Mexican rebozo patterns.
Contemporary Art of Shibori and Ikat
The main exhibition hall at CASA was given over to a wide range of contemporary shibori artworks and wearables, curated by Yoshiko Wada and Trine Ellitsgaard.
And here I must apologise profusely to artists whose work I photographed but whose names I failed to record. I did photograph the name labels but because of the low lighting many of them came out blurred and unreadable. I have credited artists whose names are legible or whom I remembered, but if your work is featured without a credit, do let me know and I will remedy it as soon as possible!
Paper Jewellery
A short walk downhill from CASA is the papermaking cooperative Arte Papel Vista Hermosa, also founded by Francisco Toledo. Its members use bark, plants, flowers, cotton, hemp, silk, linen and pieces of shiny mica in their products. As well as seeing the artisans at work, visitors can have a go at making paper themselves.
For this exhibition they worked with artist Kiff Slemmons to produce some stunningly intricate paper jewellery. And yes – I did end up buying a piece! 🙂
Flextiles 
What a fabulous experience! Thank you for sharing the beautiful photos!
Thanks Susan – you’re welcome!
Oh, so would have loved to have been there, too! Many thanks for the beautiful photos.
It was a great experience – thanks!
Holy cow! What beautiful photos. The kimono designs are truly stunning. I particularly like the one that looks like honecomb. I cannot imagine how this is accomplished! Did you take any classes while you were there? Thanks!
Hi Terri,
I think the honeycomb kimono is an example of shirokage shibori, which is stitched and pulled up tight before being bound to a pipe or pole to prevent the indigo reaching the back of the piece. (Sometimes the “pockets” are also stuffed.) There’s a nice description with photos here: http://japanesetextileworkshops.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/white-shadow-shirokage-shibori.html
I did take some workshops, with Ana Lisa Hedstrom and Jorie Johnson as well as Michel Garcia. I will write these up soon! 🙂
You must have really enjoyed being able to see all this beautiful work. So inspirational! Love the paper jewelry too. Happy New Year!
It was very inspiring Ruth. Happy New Year to you too!
I’ve seen this mentioned in other blogs and photos. These are Fabulous shibori and paper jewellery and what a venue.
Yes – it was a great venue and exhibition!
Thanks for sharing your excellent photos of this wonderful exhibit, which I also attended. Were you able to go to the Textile Museum and the opening “fashion show” of regional clothing of Oaxaca?
Hi Marilyn,
I did get to the Textile Museum but not the opening fashion show unfortunately.
Hope you enjoyed the symposium – have you been to previous events?