Hello again dear friends of Loom Tree! Happy November to you all! Here in Antigua the sun has finally come back after a particularly strong monsoon season. The famous November winds are blowing, and here in Guatemala we have some wonderful traditions taking place as we speak. My favorite is the traditional flying of the kites, and this year Sumpango Sacatepequez has really outdone itself. The massive kites created there take advantage of the aforementioned winds that every year come to blow the monsoon clouds away, and usher in Guatemala’s most beautiful season. Much like the kites of Santiago de Guatemala, who are carried by the winds up into the sky, my own creative sails are being filled by these winds as I prepare for my next adventure! Some months ago, you might remember, I was visiting Turkey and Morocco as I explored the possibilities of collaborating with weavers in those lands. Well, the first fruits of these collaborations are starting to ripen, and in a couple weeks I embark on yet another journey across the world to show off my ideas, and hopefully cement these collaborations for good!
At Loom Tree we have long sustained that the traditional Mayan weaving techniques are brimming with potential, and their possible applications are far greater than we think. For many years I have paid close attention to the similarities and differences of the weaving techniques of Central America, and those of the Middle East and North Africa. Rarely have these two worlds met, yet they are deeply connected by their respective textile cultures. I have come to the conclusion that wonderful things can come from building this bridge and, in so doing, prove once more that these ancient and traditional techniques are far from obsolete.
My current project began when I found a provider in Istanbul of antique and broken kilims. For those of you who may not know this term, a kilim is a tapestry-woven carpet or rug that is traditional to Persia. The kilims I have found are all in precarious conditions, and most would be thrown away if not for the incredible artistry they demonstrate, even in their tattered form. However, it is in their brokenness that I saw possibility. Long have my weavers and I perfected our craft, and we feel confident that our looms can fill in the holes and restore these wonderful pieces. This project is nothing short of historical conservation, and I think also a great way to physically show how fruitful this creative collaboration can be! Soon Loom Tree will bring you what I hope will be a unique and very special line of products!
In the meantime my friends, enjoy the November sun, and always remember to heed the creative winds when they blow.
Until next time!
Carmen
