Woven Translation

Can you create a machine that behaves like something it is not? Or translate one material into another? Fascinated by how looms and knitting machines render digital pixels into textile patterns, Jibbe van Schie manipulated the input and workings of a self-made 3D printer. His aim was to create an output that resembles a multi-coloured knit or weave – in a ceramic version. Weaving viscose strands of clay, layer by layer, stitch by stitch, Jibbe allowed his fascination to take on a solid form. Adapting both the machine and the code led to new outcomes that prompted new adaptations. The ongoing conversation between input and output gave shape to the merging of two crafts, shaking up conventions and exploring alternative translations from digital files to tactile products.