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    Edulands learning experience

    Interwoven Enviroment

    University of Applied Arts Vienna (UAAV)
    Author/s
    Manuel Wandl
    University of Applied Arts Vienna, Oskar Kokoschka-Platz 2, 1010 Wien, Austria

    The project uses „valueless“ materials from the regional environment to create awareness of resource orientation. The participants should learn appropriate processing techniques and develop an understanding of different material classes. Material access and the technique of weaving create new possibilities for the use of materials. The project promotes a reflective attitude to the issue of waste and enables artistic design with recycled materials. Prototype-like objects and samples with a wide range of applications are created. The participants gain knowledge in weaving and are empowered to shape their own future.

    Keywords

    • fabric
    • handweaving
    • Heritage
    • loom
    • textile
    • textile process
    • weaving
    • woven material
    • woven structure

    Learning objetives and goals

    The intentions are in the areas of ecological change, sustainability, circular economy, shared knowledge, preservation of cultural heritage and upgrading of the surrounding habitat.

    Topics related to landscape and transition

    Learning experience data sheet

    Subject/s
    The Institute of Art and Design of the department DEX at the University of Applied Arts Vienna
    Course/level
    Age range of students
    Number of students
    10
    Number of groups/classes
    1
    Number of sessions needed to develop in the experience
    3 phases
    Total time invested in the experience
    6 months
    Type of community involved

    Methodology

    Study area

    The study area is in the field of art and design, specifically focusing on weaving and textile processes. The project emphasizes the use of «valueless» materials from the regional environment, promoting resource orientation, ecological change, sustainability, circular economy, shared knowledge, preservation of cultural heritage, and habitat enhancement.

    Pedagogical methodology

    The pedagogical methodology involves a hands-on and experiential approach. The participants (students from the Institute of Art and Design) are engaged in a three-phase process:

    1. Exploration and Material Testing (Phase 1): Participants are encouraged to find cheap and easily obtainable materials from their environment, which are considered valueless or discarded. They learn to combine these materials with weaving technology.
    2. Implementation of Fabric with Individual Specific Material (Phase 2): Based on the knowledge gained in the exploration phase, participants create artifacts that have potential applications in artistic or design-specific contexts.
    3. Presentation of Artifacts and Processes (Phase 3): The created artifacts are presented in a group setting, using various methods such as exhibitions, mini fairs, or presentations. This aims to open up possibilities for applications or associations and encourages reflection on the issues of waste and resource use.

    The weaving technique is a central aspect of the pedagogy, drawing on cultural history and allowing for a new form of materials. The project fosters a reflective attitude toward waste issues and aims to empower participants with skills in textile fabric building.

    Type of collaborative experience

    The collaboration involves a group of 10 students working together under the guidance of the project leader. The collaborative experience includes:

    • Material Exploration: Participants work together to find and select materials, encouraging collaboration in material sourcing.
    • Knowledge Sharing: Throughout the project, participants share their knowledge and experiences related to material properties, weaving techniques, and design concepts.
    • Artefact Creation: The collaborative aspect is evident in the creation of artifacts during Phase 2, where the knowledge gained collectively is applied to produce interesting and innovative results.
    • Presentation and Reflection: The final phase involves a group presentation, fostering collaboration in communicating ideas and concepts. Reflection on one’s own actions based on feedback and criticism is also part of the collaborative learning experience.

    The collaborative nature of the project is intended to create a supportive and interactive environment, where participants learn from each other’s insights and contribute to the collective understanding of material use, weaving techniques, and sustainable design.

    Type of collaborative action
    Space where the experience is carried out

    School (Classroom), green areas around the school, meeting places, city.

    Where the learning experience has been developed
    Educational materials and/or resources needed

    Individual material depending on the specific question or interest, which can be interwoven under the aspects of sustainability and above all in relation to Cradle to Cradle. Yarns and twines that match the aforementioned materials. Simple weaving devices such as riggid heddle or self-made weaving tools and tools for processing the materials to be used.

    Evaluation

    Initial or pre-assessment

    The participants (school and extracurricular context) are encouraged to look for materials (natural or artificial) from their environment that they would like to work with. These should be cheap and easy to obtain in order to keep the cost factor for school use as low as possible. This material is combined with the technology of weaving. Based on the knowledge of the previously made experiments with the material and technology, an artefact should be created that can appear interesting for the implementation of various artistic or designspecific applications. These new, comprehensible materials with their properties are played back in a group as part of a presentation (different methods such as exhibition, mini fair, presentation…) in order to open up possible applications or associations.

    Formative evaluation

    New questions about materiality, function and implementation were opened up. Space was given to explore and understand, to try new approaches, to get to know properties and to explore possibilities. Based on these findings, the artefacts can be used in a next step for an artistic examination in the field of design, applied art or didactics. Some prototype-like objects were created, but also samples that can be used in further steps for various areas of application.The knowledge of creating surfaces or objects with simple weaving devices was acquired.

    Final evaluation

    The evaluation took place in personal discussions with the project leader and the participants at each meeting. The content was mainly the individual areas of interest and the choice of materials. By asking questions, an attempt was made to achieve a more in-depth examination of the action. Furthermore, a written and photographic documentation of the work steps, the discussion of the content and a personal reflection on the artistic craftsmanship was required. A presentation of the process and the artefact was set as an objective from the beginning and was thus a guiding element of the investigation. Another tool was an anonymous online opinion poll in which the teacher and the teaching process were asked about and evaluated. This feedback serves to adjust later implementations and adaptations of content, learning and teaching goals.

    Supplementary materials

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