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Logo for the exhibition
of Iran’s hand-knitted socks |
The practical project was conceptualized and implemented as follows:
On
the occasion of the global “Decade of Cultural Development” (1988-1997), the
national UNESCO commission in Iran has prepared a seminar titled “A Study of
Gilan’s Folk Arts.” In a section of the seminar, the art of sock knitting
in Gila was examined, and as a result, a 20-day exhibition of Gilan’s
hand-knitted socks was organized.
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The goals of this exhibition were:
- To draw the
public’s attention to this handicraft that is in danger of being
forgotten.
- Support for local
knitters with the aim of increasing the utilization of their knitting.
- Gathering help for
those affected by the earthquake in August 1991 through the sales proceeds
from socks, postcards and other merchandize available at the sales booth.
- Finally, to draw
tourists to the region.
With
these goals in mind, the exhibition consulted the designer who has in
response prepared
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a series of
suggested designs for different subjects. These
suggested designs are attached.
The
designer began her work on the ordered series of designs in the following
way:
First, with the help of
Paint Show Plus (P.S. Plus), written for IBM computers, the designer created
new designs for this series that were based on the patterns of the socks.
The graphic program’s ability was very limited and the final
results were obtained using the available possibilities. In this program,
it was not possible to produce or print color laser prints. Out of
necessity, to produce color samples other possibilities including
lithographic film and color photography were pursued.
Work specifications:
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The complete shape
of the socks was used in nearly all designs and has been repeated
throughout the series. The use of bright colors is based on an analysis of
the hand-knitted socks from Gilan. Visual techniques used in producing the
socks (explained fully in my thesis) such as: symmetry, balance, contrast,
repetition, order, dense motif, and sense of movement, etc. were also used
in the produced designs.
But the reason for using
the computer as a tool was the possibility of coordination and the
similarity between the checkered and geometric patterns of the socks with
what the computer could produce. This made it possible for the work to
resemble the original designs. |
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On the other hand, the desire to utilize the computer and its possibilities
was another reason to create the designs by computer.
A designer must use new tools to become acquainted with their limitations
and possibilities. In my opinion, the final university project is a good
opportunity for new experiences that show new ideas (even if they’re still
raw). This practical project is based on an invented subject with the goal
of presenting the possibilities in uniting the capabilities of a modern
machine—the computer—with old, timeless designs full
of feeling, beauty and
delicacy in order to reveal another side of humans. If this union is
used correctly its result can include
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the positive aspects of
both and can closely reflect humans today.
It should be noted that about 40 of the approximately 300 motifs for
hand-knitted socks from Gilan were used. The produced samples are close
maquettes of the final products.
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