Colour, rhythm and woven memories with Silvia Brandi
Termin:
Fr., 09.07.2027 bis So., 11.07.2027
Dauer:
3 Days
Zeiten:
Fri 10.00–17.00, Sat/Sun 9.00–17.00; including a lunch break
Ort:
Naturpark Pöllauer Tal
Treffpunkt 10:00 Uhr vor dem Tourismusbüro Pöllau
Zielgruppe:
Beginners, advanced learners; adults, young people aged 13 and over. The workshop is suitable for people with intellectual disabilities and can be adapted for people with reduced mobility during outdoor activities.
Workshop-Description:
In this workshop, we explore the landscape through colour, fibre and weaving. We’ll take the time to look more closely: what grows around us, and what colours are hidden within it?
We’ll start with a walk through the Pöllauer Tal Nature Park, where we’ll learn to recognise wild dye plants, understand their properties and discover which colours can be extracted from them. Back in the studio, we’ll extract the dyes from some of the plants we’ve collected, dye woollen yarns in various shades and experiment with colour modifiers to find out how a single dye can be used to create a broader colour palette. Gradually, a whole landscape of colours will emerge from our immediate surroundings.
Whilst the yarns are drying, we explore the tradition and visual language of the kilim and begin to translate our observations into a small textile composition. On the third day, the focus is on weaving: we set up the laser-cut FarmLab loom, learn basic weaving techniques and, step by step, create our own small kilim, either as a wall hanging or a small rug.
Weaving brings a different rhythm to the workshop. Through this repetitive, focused process, we slow down, become more aware of colours and materials, and reconnect with the landscape through what we have gathered, dyed and created.
No prior experience is required; all materials are provided. At the end, you’ll take home your own hand-woven kilim, along with practical knowledge about wild dye plants, natural dyeing, colour modification and basic weaving techniques.
Please note: The workshop will be held in English.
Here are some impressions from the Artclass 2026.
Silvia Brandi introduces her workshop
Please bring the following:
- An apron or old clothes for dyeing
- A pair of rubber or household gloves
- A sun hat and a water bottle for the foraging walk
- A notebook (preferably with squared paper) and coloured pencils for sketches and colour studies
Material fee: approx. €25 per person for the materials and tools provided. The materials fee will be settled on the day.
- Pre-treated woollen yarns for dyeing and weaving
- Cotton yarn for the warp threads
- A reusable, laser-cut wooden loom (20 × 25 cm) to take home
- Weaving tools and accessories (needles, shuttles, etc.)
- A digital guide to natural wool dyeing
Price:
€ 390,-
The artist:
Silvia Brandi is an architect and cultural manager who works at the intersection of art, design and sustainability.
- Studied architecture at the Politecnico di Milano;
- project manager at Mias Architects in Barcelona;
- Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC): coordination of research and educational programmes on design and technology.
- Led creative educational projects at Abacus Cooperativa and the international festival ‘Fixing the Future Barcelona’.
- As co-founder of FarmLab in Austria – a rural creative laboratory for circular design and nature-based innovation – she develops workshops, residencies and research projects that combine traditional craftsmanship with digital fabrication. FarmLab has workshops for wood, metal, ceramics, textiles, biodesign and digital fabrication, and combines artistic practice with local materials, environmental awareness and rural regeneration
Fotos (c): Silvia Brandi, Barbara Rakovska, Veronika Tanton