Weaving the magic
Amalshan Gunerathne
Magic of weaving
* The art demands extreme concentration and
skill
* The weaving is a delicate, interconnected
process between your mind and the hands
* If used in the right way, it can give you
the spiritual peace.
* A fine way to put recycled materials in to
productive use
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Luciano Ghersi
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The poetry, painting, music or any form of art for that matter is a
means of meditation. The kind of the happiness or the satisfaction that
any artist would achieve after his work is more or less a spiritual one.
The art of weaving is one such fine practice which demands extreme
concentration, focus and the delicacy on the part of the artist.
“Weaving is a fascinating art. In a way, when you weave, your moves
are interlinked to your brain and neuron system. Once I even wove a
design of human neuron system and I really felt the connection. In a
sense it is a form of a meditation.” Luciano Ghersi, the well known
Italian weaving artist expressed these thoughts, when we met him while
he was here in the island to exhibit some of his works. Last weekend few
of his tapestries were put on display at Lakpahana for the public
viewing.
Luciano Ghersi has been working his magic with the weaving machine
for over thirty five years. His works have been put on display at
various museums and art galleries worldwide. He is a master of the
weaving art and has written many books and journals on the subject.
Luciano, an artist with great experiences has also worked alongside many
artists in India, Ghana and Algeria on various projects.
However this is not his first visit to the island. He has always had
a soft spot and fascination towards the rich Sri Lankan art and culture.
When he was he here during early nineties, he was able to visit some of
local Sri Lankan weavers. While he was here, he met Sirisena, the local
weaver, who showed him Sri Lankan way of mastering the weaving art.
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Ghersi’s textile designs |
“Yes, watching Sirisena weave was inspirational to me. I was simply
fascinated by the unique weaving culture they have here in Ududumbara.
But I must admit that the Udumbura style is bit too complicated for me.”
Luciano Confessed with a smile.
The specialty in his works is that more often than not he uses
eco-friendly, recycled materials. He believes that using such material
is a good way to battle global environmental problems.
“I used to go to shopping complexes and bring polyethylene layers
which they use to cover crates. You can really use those Polyethylene
covers to weave fascinating wall hangings. It really is amazing the
things that you can do with such materials which otherwise you would
have put to waste.” He shared his wise thoughts.
Luciano doesn’t believe in using modern technology. He strongly feels
that the essence of the art lies with maintaining the emotional or the
spiritual connection with the machine and work that the artist is
weaving.
“I know technology has evolved a lot, but I don’t really believe in
using modern technology. That doesn’t mean I always use my hands. We
most time do use the traditional weaving machine. But the essence of the
weaving art lies in maintaining that connection with your hands and the
mind. I don’t know how you can call yourself weaver without knowing how
to weave with your own self.”
He expressed his passionate ideas about an art that is dying away. |
