About the Project:

SOMAS is a Marie Curie research project (co-funded by the EU) hosted by the University of Cyprus and led by Ruxandra Lupu. The aim is to explore how ideas of sustainability are embedded in textile and fashion designers’ practices and how these can be transmitted using dynamic methods for exhibiting textile and design work. To do this, the project will map the gestures performed by artisans and artists while they work and use this knowledge to create immersive exhibition environments for their work.

Profile of Participants:

The project will select 12 European textile/fashion designers whose work lies at the intersection of traditional heritage practices and contemporary design methods and is linked to ideas of sustainability in a broad sense.

Description of Involvement:

Participating designers need to be available for 1-2 days in their workshop in the period between March and July 2024 for data collection; the exact days will be agreed upon with the designers based on their availability. The data collection process will be performed using a combination of tools: video mapping, audio recording etc. These methods are meant to holistically map designer’s gestures while they work. Data will be used to create an immersive environment for designers to showcase their work.

Benefits:

A collective exhibition showcasing selected designers’ pieces in this immersive context will be organised free of charge in 2025 in Cyprus. This will provide visibility for designers’ work in new contexts. Besides the exhibition, the research results, including descriptions of artisan’s work, will also be widely disseminated in academic publications, webinars and in a European design festival/event – to be defined in 2025.

Application:

Deadline: the 15th of February, 2024.

To apply, send an email to lupu.ruxandra@ucy.ac.cy by 15 February 2024, including your portfolio (PDF, Instagram account, personal website, etc.) and a brief paragraph explaining why you are interested in participating in the project.