Xiaolin Song

The Shape Of The Wind

Contemporary Art Practice - MA

School of Art

sxlin1212@gmail.com

Some ideas for combining tie-dye and recycled fabrics.pdf (1.36 MB)

THE SHAPE OF THE WIND

Image description: A one-minute ten-second video containing the process of making tie-dye and a mix of fragmented scenes. "Tie-dye" is a symbol of my repositioning and perception of myself as a foreigner in a foreign culture, while the interspersed landscapes represent the process of searching and traveling. Just as the fabric is distorted, twisted, and steamed in the traditional oriental tie-dye process, the process of experiencing a new cultural impact and re-examining oneself is also similar. The 'wind' is just a vehicle, a medium that tries to be an interactive perception that can break through cultural differences.

“Traces of wind, and traces of wind chasing”

Artist Statement

Xiaolin Song is an artist from China with a background in fashion design, and in her past undergraduate studies, the Chinese origin of Natural dyeing has been an important medium for her artistic expression and inspiration. Firstly, this traditional dyeing process is a traditional and ancient technique in which herbs are used for medicinal purposes as well as to produce subtle and vivid colors. All of the raw materials used by the artist in this work are of Chinese origin. The theme of this work began with the artist's attempt to find a new self-awareness as a foreigner in another country. Using the element of 'wind' (a natural element found in any city in any country) as an entry point and the tie-dye technique of leaving traces on the fabric to simulate the pervasive state of the wind, from the undulating fabric being blown to the hard-to-reproduce totems on the fabric, not only does the artist observe the wind, but in the process, she also creates the artist's The artist's perceptual qualities are laid down in this process.

The Shape of the Wind (Fabric Sculpture)

The Shape Of The Wind(Mobile installations and fabric sculptures)

The kneading of the fabric is not only a vital step in the tie-dyeing process, but it is also in keeping with the theme that 'wind' is a presence that cannot be captured but is good at leaving 'traces', for example, it brings wrinkles to soft fabrics, and previously, through tie-dyeing, the changes in the surface of the fabric can be visually preserved, while the stacking and pushing of the wrinkles caused by its volume is also a way of recording 'wind'.

Matching the fabric sculpture on the right, a full version of the tie-dye fabric is shown on the left. The fabric is richly colored, using materials such as black bean coats, black tea, and loquat leaves. The herbs are steamed at high temperatures to release the dye and give a final color effect that is often random. The color build-up is varied but natural, which is ideal for this piece. I wanted my colors to match the light texture of the fabric, to flow like water. The fabric puffs in the wind give the viewer a greater sense of natural texture.