Cross Clothe KT(2006)
In Tokamachi City Niigata Prefecture I produced 1400 T-shirts for volunteer staff using local kimono fabrics and their associated imagery. Additionally I created an installation by altering the same design. This work proposed a new form by fusing traditional kimono fabric with contemporary T-shirts. We conducted detailed discussions on materials dyeing sizes quantities and patterns. For the sleeves we focused on using kimono fabrics from Tokamachi visiting local flag shops and workshops to collect over 50 bolts of fabric combining kimono sleeves with each T-shirt.
Encountering kimono fabric a traditional industry of Echigo made me realize the significant social nature of clothing fabrics. By examining manufacturing methods and patterns I re-evaluated the historical regional characteristics and spirituality inherent in fabrics. I created T-shirts utilizing Tokamachi's kimono fabrics and exhibited 100 of them in a matrix arrangement with varying lengths at the Kinare Hall. During the exhibition many Kohebi Squad members wore these T-shirts as they moved throughout the Echigo-Tsumari region.Materials
Kimono fabric, T-shirt fabric, cord
Kinare Tokamachi Niigata
Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennial 2006
Selected in the proposal competition
Sponsor: BEAMS