Connections and Companions on the Journey

I've thought a lot about how to express, in art, the concept of the red thread that joins us to our destined companions without it  being banal or obvious. Artist Beili Liu of Texas has done this exquisitely in this work, titled Bound #2. Visit her site to see more. Thanks to the Soolip blog for the link.

It's September 11, and it seems like a good day to remember our connections.

The rather unpleasant intensity of August has passed, but so many people I know are having a tough time these days. It seems to reflect everything that's happening in the world and yet it's also deeply personal.

I'm going to buy this book today and I know I'll be inspired. The story of textiles is, in so many ways, the story of the lives of women, so maybe this book will help me find direction for this blog and my own work. NPR reported that a piece of dyed flax fiber has been dated to 30,000 years old; if you ever feel like everything's been done with fiber, well, it has. Yet it's also a thrill to feel this connection to all the souls on this planet who have spun, woven, dyed and stitched in the name of beauty, warmth, protection, expression and communication. So you might say that we're all tied by a thread that moves across time as well as distance.

Here's what I wrote in my first blog post:

Why Red Thread Studio? About twelve years ago, a friend told me that, in Japan, there is a legend that says that each of us is connected to our soul mate by an invisible red thread. I love the idea that our world is a huge spinning sphere of red thread, if we could only see it, leading each of us to our greatest passion and destiny. It's a mystical story of textiles and color and connection, and red, the color of the heart, of fire, of roses, is my favorite hue. So the red thread, the most mundane of objects, is also magical.

I might write something different today (and name the blog something different, truth be told) but it's okay. This is all a bit heady for a Friday morning, though, and I have to get to the commute and the cubicle.

EDITED TO ADD: Here's another story on the 34,000-year-old flax fibers, which were dyed black, gray, turquoise and pink. Modern!

Comments

[marja-leena]

That the red thread is about connections, and this Japanese legend, are a surprise and revelation for me. Long ago, I made a print called White Lace, Red Threads. It now has a new depth of meaning for me, thanks to you!

[Gwen Delmore]

I really love your blog, your posts are always so thoughtful and inspiring. The concept of the red thread is beautiful, and instructive.

Thank you so much for publishing this blog!

[jude]

i have always liked the history in linen. it is my favorite fabric because of its weight in time.

[glennis]

i disagree with your statement that everything has already been done before (with fiber anyway).
it's part of why i make my pleated silk shibori ribbon-as far as i know- it hasn't been done before-kind of a statement on the idea that there are no new ideas.
who knows what lies ahead?
i love the the red thread story.
can't wait to get together in Houston-

[glennis]

meant to add-check out this book:
http://www.nccsc.net/2008/3/4/why-art-cannot-be-taught

[Jane]

Another interesting post, I'd not realised this was the origin of your red thread title. It made me go back and read the post. I also re-read the one on slow cloth, which speaks to me so much in connection to my Japanese embroidery. It inspired me to share the details on my blog, and I've linked back to your original slow clothpost, I hope some people come and read it and get inspired.
jane

[judy martin]

Elaine, I appreceiate the time you take to write this informative blog. Thank you so much.