International Shibori Symposium (ISS) 1997 in Ahmedabad

The Second International Shibori Symposium is to be held at the Indian National Institute of Design (NID), a leading institution which promotes design awareness and appreciation of Indian made products, systems, and environments through education, research, professional consultancy, and publications. The conference site, Ahmedabad, in Gujarat, plays a key role in Indian textile production and education. In addition, the state of Gujarat, as well as the adjacent state of Rajasthan are both known for numerous vital bandhani production centers. This global gathering of shibori craftspeople, fashion and textile designers, students, scholars, professionals, and manufacturers is a collaborative effort by the NID and the World Shibori Network (WSN). WSN was founded in 1993, immediately after the first successful ISS in Nagoya, Japan, to continue to promote global understanding of shibori and its production and use. ISS '97 is expected to expand even further the exchange of information and inspiration about new and old forms of shibori and its applications, and to promote quality in craft production, as well as support continuing dialogue across the world, especially in Asia. Therefore, the Indian site of the conference plays a key role in adding new dimensions to the evaluation of craft traditions and moreover, brings new partners into this global exchange.

There will be an SDA sponsored tour to attend the conference for all SDA members from North America and all EU countries. WSN will sponsor tours from Japan. (No individual on site conference registration will be available for North American, European, or Japanese participants.)

1. SDA Tour
22 Dec. 96 - 6 Jan. 97 or 26 Dec. 96 - 9 Jan. 97 (choice of tentative dates )
Contact Ms. Kiyoko Ishimoto of Ishimoto Tours
210 Post St. Suite, 1102 San Francisco, CA 94108
tel. (415) 781-4350 fax (415) 781-7108

2. Conference Program
Exhibition opens - 31 Dec. 96
Tour of Ahmedebad - 1 Jan. 97
Symposium - 2-3 Jan. 97
Post-Symposium Hands on Workshops (optional) - 4 Jan. 96

4. Participants: 250-300 Allocation for registration by region
India - 90
Japan - 80
North America - 40
EU (incl. Australia and New Zealand) - 20
Asia - 20
Others (incl. Africa) - 10
Total - 260

5. Program
Symposium (2-3 Jan.)
Keynote Lecture - "Global Futures for Shibori" Martand Singh
Memorial Lecture - "Craft Traditions and Cultural Identity" Francoise Cousin (Musee del'Homme, Paris)
Panel Discussions (all 3 sessions will be repeated on the 2nd day of the Symposium)
1. "History" - Panelists include Jotyndra Jain (Crafts Museum of Delhi), Regina I'Anson (Ghana), Kozo Takeda (Japan)
2. "Contemporary Applications" - Panelists include Sung Soon Lee (textile artist), Makiko Minagawa (Miyake Design Studio), Asha Sarabhai (Raag), Marian Clayden
3. "Future Applications and Technology" - Panelists include Haruhiko Ito (product designer), Junichi Arai, Jack L. Larsen
Artist Presentations - 9 artists will present work and make an appearance; Artists include Helene Sonbeyran, Marie-Helene Guelton, (France), Trine Mauritz Ericksen, (Norway), Hiroshi Nakai, (Japan), Yusman Siswandi (Indonesia), Ana Lisa Hedstrom, Carter Smith, Junco Sato Pollach (USA), and Inge Dusi (Italy)
World Shibori Demonstrations (ongoing during 2-3 Jan.) Includes demonstrations of traditional processes from India, Japan, Africa, Pakistan, and Nepal
Post-Symposium - (4 Jan.)
Hands on Workshops - 6 workshops on Indian bandhani, Indian lahariya, traditional Japanese shibori, contemporary high tech shibori, and natural indigo dyeing(pre-registration necessary)
Exhibitions (31 Dec. - 4 Jan.)
"Classical Shibori: India, Japan, and the World"
"Shaped Resist: Fashion, and Textiles"
"Shibori and Beyond: Miniature Art"
"Indian Textiles and Costumes: A Great Tradition" (Calico Museum)
Bazaar (31 Dec. - 2 Jan.)
Includes Indian bandhani and lahariya, Indian materials for the dyers, antique and old Indian textiles and costumes, Indian textile products, Japanese shibori products - traditional and contemporary, and an artists' trunk show

The Second International Shibori Symposium is to be held at the National Institute of Design (NID), a leading institution which promotes design awareness and research, professional consultancy, and publications. The conference site, the Gujarat state, as well as the adjacent state of Rajasthan are both known for numerous vital bandhani, Indian tie-dye, production centers. This global gathering will combine a wide range of specialists, including traditional and high tech shibori artisans, fashion and textile designers, students, scholars, manufacturers, and scientists. Furthermore, the Ahmedabad site of the conference offers a unique opportunity for symposium participants from Europe, North and South America, Asia, Africa, and Australia to come together to exchange views about the uses and practices of shibori worldwide and to learn more about the rich but lesser known Indian textile production while experiencing this remarkable country. The collaborative effort of the NID and the World Shibori Network (WSN), based in Nagoya, Japan is making this conference possible.

In conjunction with the ISS '97, the Surface Design Association, with the help of Yoshiko I. Wada, Vice-President of the WSN, has arranged two unusual tours for SDA members from the Americas, Europe, Australia and New Zealand to enrich their understanding of Indian culture and textile design. These tours have been set up to experience contemporary textile and fashion designers' work in the urban centers of Bombay or Delhi, as well as to observe traditional textile production and design in rural areas like the villages of the Kutch region where ancient textile methods are still carried on. Additionally, visits to artisans' studios and shops and to religious and architectural sites on these tours will give conference participants a greater appreciation of Indian cultural beliefs and sense of design.

Ana Lisa Hedstrom, an artist well versed in traditional and contemporary shibori, who has taught and exhibited extensively both internationally and nationally, will lead the Transpacific Tour. She has toured textile centers in India for a year in the early 1970's, and conducted independent studies on various textile processes there. Seema Chandna, a textile designer from Bombay who has studied textile design in India and the USA will lead the Transatlantic Tour. She has worked for Nuno Corporation in New York which produces contemporary Japanese textiles. She is now based in Bangalore in South India, and is launching her own textile design business.

Current SDA membership is required to participate in these tours. A one year regular membership is $45 plus postage for foreign membership. A couple having the same mailing address requires only one membership.

For further information about the SDA and its membership, please contact:
P.O. Box 20799, Oakland, CA 94620 U.S.A.
Telephone: +1-(510) 841-2008