Knotweed Workshop

In 1593, tulips first appeared in the Netherlands through trade routes with Eastern Europe. They eventually became an emblem of the country. Japanese knotweed made its appearance 250 years later, but its fate was different and it soon suffered from its rapid growth rate and adaptability to new conditions. ‘Knotweed Workshop’ is a project based upon the finding that this plant is a precious source of material. Virgile Durando explores the possibility of a new tradition of dry knotweed applied in the Dutch home, making it a hyper-local resource compared to bamboo. With low-tech tools and reinterpreting traditional bamboo techniques, we are invited to contemplate a craft centred on this versatile material.