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HOW STRING CHANGED THE WORLD: an exploration of fiber, culture, and human ingenuity

  • Helms Design Center 8745 W Washington Boulevard Culver City, CA, 90232 United States (map)

WITH CAMERON TAYLOR BROWN

Traces of ancient flax - colored, twisted, spun and cut - show that textiles were already an integral part of human life 35,000 years ago. Discover why humans first twisted fibers into thread, and how this invention revolutionized early cultures. Track the history of flax, wool, silk and cotton in the ancient world, view textiles through Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, and explore how string and textiles are woven into language and identity. We’ll follow the presentation with a hands-on exercise where participants will ply their own string and make their own cloth – and in the process discover why using the fiber arts as a vehicle for self-discovery and innovation is so satisfying.

ABOUT THE ARTIST Cameron Taylor-Brown was introduced to textiles by artist Ed Rossbach at UC Berkeley, studied design at the Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science (PCT&S) and worked as a fabric stylist in New York. She subsequently taught textile design and worked as an exhibition curator at PCT&S. Since 1985, Taylor-Brown has lived in Los Angeles, where she founded ARTSgarage, a textile resource center. Her work is widely exhibited and is featured in publications including American Craft Magazine, Fiber Art Now, Handwoven and Shuttle, Spindle and Dyepot. She teaches workshops at ARTSgarage, schools, guilds, museums and conferences throughout the United States and Canada. She is a past president of California Fibers and on the advisory boards of the Fowler Textile Council and Textile Arts | Los Angeles.

$25 members || $35 non-members

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February 8

SOLD OUT || Off-Loom Coiling with Ferne Jacobs

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February 22

SOLD OUT || Random Weave Workshop with Polly Giacchina