sia hurtigkarl weaves tradition & sustainability into paper sculpture for the mindcraft project

Sia Hurtigkarl presents Plain Weave for the mindcraft project

The Mindcraft Project 2023, curated by Sara Martinsen, features innovative projects by ten designers and makers from Denmark, integrating both digital and physical exhibitions for the first time since the pandemic. As a media partner, designboom visited Copenhagen during the one-day physical exhibition held on October 5, 2023, to meet the ten Danish creatives and learn more about their works and practices. The digital display will be available year-round at the Mindcraft Project’s website here.

One of the most colorful pieces in the exhibition was the Plain Weave by Sia Hurtigkarl, a gradient pink artwork crafted from waxed paper that demonstrates her innovative approach to textile design and commitment to challenging traditional methods. Plain Weave is a reflection of her experiences while working with local artisans in Nepal, where she witnessed the meticulous preparation involved in the entire textile-making process, from dyeing the wool to spinning, twisting the yarns, and, finally weaving. ‘I aimed to create something that had a textile-based quality yet didn’t appear too flat. I wanted to give this piece a voluminous and poetic essence, as poetry is a part of me and my identity as a textile designer,’ Hurtigkarl told designboom.

all images by Anders Sune Berg, unless stated otherwise

Intersection of Design, Heritage, and Sustainability

Sia Hurtigkarl (see more here) is a versatile designer who works across different scales, from small pieces to large installations, blending traditional craftsmanship with a strong storytelling element. She challenges the boundaries of textile design and craft, often exploring the intersection of culture, heritage, and contemporary narratives. Her work is characterized by a holistic, transparent approach, which aims to provoke and engage viewers and users alike. ‘I also like to think about sustainability within a cultural context, with a focus on human relationships, craftsmanship, and cultural heritage. I think of culture as a raw material, that if countries or communities explore it and treat it in the right way, it can contain a greater value.’

Sia Hurtigkarl presents her waxed paper sculpture for the Mindcraft Project 2023

Reimagining Textile Production: Plain Weave with Paper

In an effort to highlight and appreciate the raw materials and processes involved in traditional textile production, Plain Weave takes a different approach by using a common material – paper, offering Hurtigkarl the freedom to explore scale, color, and finish. The result is a woven structure with a transparent, glossy texture achieved through the application of beeswax. ‘I really, really enjoy scaling my work. Starting with something small and then scaling up the piece always presents a lot of challenges. Even simple things like having the right tools or a big enough table can become real trouble. My studio had to suddenly enlarge also,’ she explains.

Sia Hurtigkarl’s Plain Weave challenges traditional textile production by reinterpreting it in a three-dimensional format using hand-dyed and waxed paper strands. ‘I wanted to work with grading and color, but it’s hard to achieve a gradient effect when the yarn changes direction. In each direction, a new color emerges. So, I wanted to explore and challenge myself to create a gradient where the pink starts from the bottom and gradually lightens up. The same principle applies to the horizontal pieces; they are darker at the bottom and become lighter as you move upward.’

paper strands extending from the floor to the ceiling within a delicate pine wood frame