Woimakukka in FITE 2012

International Festival of Extra ordinary Textiles
FITE 2012

Unique skills.
From  12/09/2012 to 16/09/2012
Festivals and carnivals – Cultural things to do
Clermont-Ferrand – Auvergne

Extraordinary textiles in all forms are accorded pride of place at FITE (International Festival of Extraordinary Textiles) which will also work to show the associated human, economic and ecological issues.

Faced with the gradual disappearance of these skills, due to changes in society and the mass mechanisation of textile production, FITE aims to be both a unique meeting place for professionals and the general public, a showcase for exceptional pieces, and a platform where artisans and weavers can demonstrate their skills and their latest innovations.

Textiles Chronicles

My proposal to FITE 2012 was WOIMAKUKKA textile (Energy power-flower, Ø 55cm), because it brings back to me the universal level of understanding between countries, cultures and people. It is understanding in forms and colours, without words.

At that time WOIMAKUKKA was only a few years old, but it is made up of 20-30 years of old leftovers and second-hand fabric pieces. The textile travels with me almost everywhere, and I put it on the wall, on a table or another place in my room, wherever I stay. My granddaughter (three and half years then) loves to sit on it.

The Story of WOIMAKUKKA:

We Finns are a small nation in Northern Europe, with only about 5,5 million people. Even so, we have our very own and unique language: Finnish. To understand other nations, we have to learn other languages​​. As an artist and therapist, I also have been interested in studying non-verbal languages for a long time.

What I call WOIMAKUKKA, reminds me vividly of my journeys to the “end of the world”, into different kind of cultures and religions.

The trip starts from a black hole, like the mystery of life. This hole does not speak to you if you do not enter it and ponder life and its meanings and forms.

My first trip out to the world was to India. The almond shape petals of WOIMAKUKKA evokes in me the hand-movement of the namaste greeting and a deep thank you.

Then came Africa. I remember the welwitschia flower, which has also almond shape petals. Welwitschia reminds me of persistence and survival in penury conditions.

In Peru and Bolivia Uro Indians weaved almond shaped reed boats on their artificial reed islands of Lake Titicaca. Uros do believe they come from outer space. Indian wisdom is fascinating.

In the Indonesia the almond shape was found in the petals of the lotus flower, the great symbol of Universal love.

China taught me how everything is connected together and how the spiral of life forms a creative circle, with life supporting energy. You can see and feel the countries and people, lifestyles and functions combining in the almond shaped petals of WOIMAKUKKA.

Looking at my WOIMAKUKKA, I always remember my journeys and with these memories I find in myself a deeper understanding of cultures and receive strength and inspiration into my life, and my work for helping others.

Now I can share this experience.

With love and iriskiss,
Iris Kiiskinen, Finland