Cristian A. Zaelzer-Perez

Natural Codes in Fabric Weaving

Cristian A. Zaelzer-Perez – Faculty of Fine Arts, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada – attending in-person

With Samia Elsheikh – Faculty of Art Education, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt – attending the congress and presenting the paper virtually

Abstract:

Nature provides plenty of examples of simple electrical patterns, repetitions, or coded chemistry that can be read, reproduced, copied, and translated to produce responses to an original communicative request. Electrical patterns and repetitions can be easily found in neurons delivering electrical impulses triggered by stimulation from the environment to prepare a response and adaptive behaviour. Meanwhile, the sequence of the nucleotides in DNA or RNA and its translation to amino acids ends in the synthesis of peptides and proteins capable of regulating biological functions.

Because any communication in nature is based on how sequences, codes, and patterns are produced, we can play with those codes and replace them with other codes to explore communication and biology using any art practice form.

Traditional looming has a code, rules, syntax, and grammar, so it can be considered a language to some extent. This research explores several natural communication systems: the genetic code, neuronal firing frequencies, the vibrational signals of bees, and the vocal calls of meerkats – with the aim of developing simple coding manuals for each. These manuals will then be translated into the codes of weaving construction. By combining elements such as patterns, thread types, tension, colour, and sequence, the study seeks to transform stories and narratives from any coded form of communication into visual art using hand weaving techniques.