Fiber sculpture

Includes bibliographical references (pages 36-38)Woven structure is an infant and newly recognized art field. Although it's still emerging, a continuity of products exists which provides an open definition: 1. "???the use of the traditional loom is no longer essential, for limitless means may be employed. Traditional and invested constructions may appear together within the same work." 2. "These woven objects, two and three dimensional with fronts and backs fully exposed, are closely related to sculpture. They have entered space and in many instances have contrived to actively engage the spectator in the manner of environmental art.3. "A natural or limited color palette appears dominant throughout these works, reflecting their primary concern for the intrinsic qualities of materials and the characteristics of their interaction???.The materials vary from raw, unprocessed animal and coarse vegetable fibers to the latest synthetic ones from advanced technology." 4. "A work is approached with a design in mind. However, as the work progresses, the design is modified as the medium suggests or demands. Thus, design decisions resulting from the act of weaving are inherent to this type of sculpture." Sculptural weaving as defined here has existed for about ten years. It is an international movement. Only in the last five years has it gained public notice and, consequently, students to lend it impetus. The advent of woven sculpture is the expression of great diversity of intent among weavers. Intention has polarized around two philosophies: One is weaving with a traditional frame of reference to the decorative; the other is weaving as a means to create form. (See more in text.