Isabel Brems

Recognizing textiles as a comforting material universally sought in times of distress. Nature inspired colors and curvy textures are being used to invite touch. By creating my own modular paradise, a space unfolds where touch is hyper important. It challenges us to stand still and through the textiles reconnect with ourselves and others. This safe space offers an opportunity to zoom out, take a sensory breather or simply have conversations with friends, anywhere the installation is placed.

This project started during my residency as a member in the all female collective called Burenhinder. Organizing events in the nightlife scene I noticed a lack of seating places in club spaces for people to take a moment of rest during the night. Using textiles I started investigating the added value of these textiles in these club spaces. So I made pillows.

It was important for me that these pillows where modular so they could be used again as we organize parties in various places around the country and these textiles could be used in all these different locations. It soon became apparent that these seating spaces offered more than just a chill area for the parties. It became a stimuli free zone, a zone much needed for visitors to take a sensory breather.

From then on these textiles became a pillar for supporting the mental wellbeing of the partygoers in this specific environment. Using textiles which focus on the sense of touch. They could stimulate our senses and have positive influence on the brain. I realized these settings could be useful in way more scenes. For that to be possible I had to find a way to bring the textiles outside of the club space using a construction that could be placed anywhere.

Researching different type of constructions to show the pillows in different kind of ways and on various locations I came to realize that scaffolding is the most playful and offers multiple set-ups.

Using knitting is a way to express oneself by a meditative process. There lies a metaphor in the slowing down in life, taking a breather and the slow process of the knitting techniques in itself. Different techniques where tried out to get a sensory like texture to be invited to touch.

To recycle is hugely necessary, in order to create we must respect what is already there. Several try outs where made with different kind of materials and the conclusion came that filling for stuffed animals and a sponge like material works best for getting sturdy and soft pillows. Old mattresses where collected and ripped hand by hand. After washing them they are ready for their new life. In this library you can find some more materials that where tried out during the process.

Different variatons of miniature pillows and how they can be placed in different ways.

Patterns and repetition say something about the power of the sequence it goes against. Repeating patterns is wrestling a way of control. These patterns are created inspired by nature. Nature reduces fear, stress and anger. It increases pleasant feelings. It is only human to try to rebuild nature around us. We continue to yearn what we have turned our backs on.