Exhibition ‘Woven Utopia – Textile Visions’
In her exhibition Woven Utopia – Textile Visions, Mariella Gänsewig presents a cross-section of her textile works that deal critically and poetically with the ecological consequences of the textile industry. The focus is on the series Drought, in which she refers to the consumption of resources – such as cotton and hemp – through the targeted use of warm and cool colors. A study trip to Uzbekistan, marked by impressions of desertification and water scarcity, became the source of inspiration for her artistic exploration.
Inspired by nomadic traditions, Gänsewig produced hemp yarns, dyed them with natural plant dyes and wove them into multi-layered structures that make sustainable alternatives tangible to the senses. The work Water Drop, for example, captures the softness and depth of water surfaces and at the same time refers to the preciousness of this resource.
Gänsewig’s working method is based on the traditional craft of weaving, which she translates into free, often three-dimensional forms. This results not only in aesthetically powerful works, but also in textile visions that are thought-provoking. Her art becomes a medium of ecological awareness – a plea for a more responsible approach to materials and production processes.
Supported by the Department of Culture and the Equal Opportunities Officer of the City of Halle (Saale)