PROJECT SNAPSHOT: Scarfitecture Guatemala 2011

The project consists of inviting seven international, renown architects to create an image, texture, or painting (e.g., a drawing, collage, water color, etc.) on a 2m x 45cm paper to be rendered into woven textiles by artisans of Ecolibri (www.ecolibri.org) at Lake Atitlan, Guatemala using a back-strap loom and sustainable materials, such naturally dyed threads and reclaimed /recycled materials like unraveled old sweaters. They will then be sold as wall hangings or shawls/scarves at a live & on-line auction during Fall Fashion Week 2011.

The Goal:

The project aims to build awareness of the skills and abilities of these Guatemalan women artisans. By spotlighting their craft in this way, it will enable them to create a sustainable business weaving and sewing textiles and garments for local, tourist, and export markets. It is Scarfitecture’s aim to use this as a project model for future projects.

The first hand-woven "originals" will be auctioned off during Fall Fashion Week Sept 2011. Profits will cover production cost of initial development phase, including the purchase of production looms or equipment for artisans collaborative for future projects.

Strategy:

Count down to fashion week

We have approximately 10 weeks to meet our goal and will attempt to document the progress (pitfalls and successes) weekly starting July 1st on our websites, DIGS DIRT blog. http://blog.digs.com/scarfitecture & Ecolibri.org . See updates and field reports on the blog posted regularly with profiles of participants and photographs of the design’s development as we counting down http://blog.digs.com/category/field-reports-scarfitecture-guatemala/ Sign up to our blog or newsletter to get field reports automatically in your inbox. We hope to exhibit the one-of-a-kind hand woven renderings of these famous architects’ designs at a live auction & on line auction event during fashion week in NYC.

This project is the brainchild of Dita Zakova, Founder and Director, Ecolibri.org and Rhea Alexander, Founder and President, DIGS.com.