Kolam Inspiration

One of the most revealing parts about my trip to India was discovering the role that women have in the development of the cultural/spiritual/craft legacy. The same as in old generations of women in my own country, Spain, women are the ones weaving, knitting or stitching. In India they also use white lines made with chalk, rice paste or rice flour to "knit or write" in the floor of a street or the outside walls of their houses. These intricate mandala-like designs are called kolam in South India. In fact the word knitting/weaving - creating a textile, in Spanish tejer - have the same origin as the word text - texere in latin. It makes sense and makes me think how these women use artistic lines not only to intervene the public space and playfully affect the way we experience the architecture of their homes but as a way for self -expression that in some cases makes more sense than using words.

Lines, geometric patters and intricate forms are a big part of my work. Seeing these fierce women working with lines and creating "texts" inspires me to reflect about my own fascination and almost obsession with making likes and creating all these intricate paths either to be walked or contemplated.
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