Material Fictions: Haptic Narratives of (Un)Spaces

#design #textile #fashion

In our globalized and digitalized lives, we navigate a constant vacillation between the ecstasy of the virtual and the longing for the tangible. We are fascinated by the unreal—hoaxes, simulations, and digital illusions—while simultaneously craving something tactual, concrete, and crafted. This tension between the digital and physical realms forms the foundation of the course, which focuses on transitioning between abstract or/and fictional concepts and touchable realities, and vice versa.

During this five-day workshop, participants will investigate, both theoretically and practically, the multifaceted culture and exploratory nature of touch—the most elusive yet vital sense. Textile, non-textile, and digital materials will serve as starting points, unveiling the complex historical, cultural, and social interconnections embedded within them. Through hands-on experimentation, participants will learn how to manipulate and transform these materials into authentic, three-dimensional objects. New hybrid materials and surface
compositions will be developed representing new identities.

Using textile processes as a primary medium for exploration and as a model for community building, “Material Fictions: Haptic Narratives of (Un)Spaces” will foster both collaborative practices and individual research. Students will acquire skills in textile technologies applicable to both textile and non-textile materials, which they can later integrate into their own creative practices. Additionally, two field trips/studio visits will be organized, providing participants with an opportunity to gain deeper insights into the practices of Berlin-based artists.

Schedule:

Day 1:
- Introduction of the group
- Excerpts reading and discussions in groups
- Start of material analysis and hands-on experiments
- Time for individual research

Day 2:
- Field Trip/Studio Visit
- Hands-on material experiments and collaborative work
- Participants present their own research
- Reflections, discussions and feedback in group

Day 3:
- Field Trip/Studio Visit
- Hands-on material experiments and collaborative work
- Reflections, discussions and feedback in group

Day 4:
- Hands-on material experiments and collaborative work
- Finalisation of artworks
 

Day 5:
- Finalisation of artworks
- Finalisation of the workshop, presentations and feedback

Justina Monceviciute is a Lithuanian-born visual artist and designer working between Berlin and Trakai. Alongside her art practice, Justina lectures at various universities and leads workshops for students and children, focusing on textiles and clay in spatial contexts. Justina’s work has been exhibited in galleries, museums, and at international design festivals. She has received multiple artist scholarships from the Lithuanian Council for Culture. In her art practice, Justina Monceviciute focuses on the practical and theoretical investigation of material identities, their transformation, and their fluidity. She creates sculptural works that explore analogies between architecture and textiles, deliberately contrasting rigid ceramic substances with flexible textile materials. Through
this approach, she challenges common dualities, particularly those related to gender classifications and hierarchies.

www.justinamonceviciute.com
www.instagram.com/justinamonceviciute/