#FABRICAMP 2024 ARMENIA | Yerevan, Dilijan, Gyumri
In collaboration with Fab Lab Armenia and AGBU Armenia
The annual Textile Academy Bootcamp in Armenia 🇦🇲 was an incredible experience! Participants from over 25 countries came together for an intensive week of learning and discovery, networking and collaboration.
Together with Fab Lab Armenia, we immersed ourselves in the local Armenian heritage by visiting museums, ateliers, Armenian landmarks and UNESCO sites.
Inspired by the local culture, we crafted projects that blended bio and digital fabrication processes, electronics, and cutting-edge technologies, while exchanging knowledge with local artisans and experts from different institutions.
Video by punj.syndicate
Bootcamp Highlights 2024
Day 1, 📍 Silk Road Hotel, Yerevan
We had the pleasure to kickoff the Bootcamp at the stunning Silk Road Hotel in Yerevan.
Together with the participants, we involved ourselves in an unique experience with local artisans, getting to know each other through making and exploring the traditional weaving techniques typical of the Armenian rugs.
We also had the opportunity to discover the local Wool and experience the fascinating process of transforming raw material into vibrant and textured felt balls, through layering, wet felting and shaping techniques.
Armenian weaving and felting are deeply rooted in the country's rich cultural heritage. During the first day of workshops, participants explored the art of Armenian carpet weaving, learning traditional techniques passed down through generations. These carpets are renowned for their detailed patterns and vibrant colors, each telling a unique story. The felting workshops offered a hands-on experience in creating felt balls, a craft that highlights the skill and creativity of Armenian artisans.
Day 2, 📍 Visit at Lusik Aguletsi, Yerevan
Participants had the privilege of a private tour at Lusik Aguletsi’s art studio in Yerevan, where they could admire her paintings up close and gain insights into her unique creative process.
The house museum features an extensive collection of Armenian clothing, jewelry, and distinctive handcrafted furniture pieces.
Lusik Aguletsi, (born in Nakhichevan, 1946) was a renowned Armenian painter, ethnographer, and Honored Cultural Worker. Recognized as the last person in Yerevan to regularly wear traditional Armenian attire, she significantly contributed to Armenian cultural heritage.
Day 2, 📍 Visit and Workshop at Woolway studios, Yerevan
During the second day of the Bootcamp, Participants delved into the art of mordanting, dye extraction, and color application. Each step unveils the traditional methods that have been passed down through generations, showcasing the harmony between nature and craftsmanship. As they experimented with the dyes, they witnessed the magic of creating unique shades that mirror the landscape and cultural heritage of Armenia.
The workshop offered insights into the cultural significance of colors and dyeing practices in Armenian traditions. Participants engaged in discussions with passionate artisans, who shared stories about the symbolism embedded in each color and the historical importance of dyeing in Armenian textiles.
Wool Way's goal is to produce hand-dyed wool yarn of the highest quality in an environmentally friendly environment, for the creation of exquisite hand-woven carpets, as well as for the restoration of antique oriental carpets and tapestries.
Among the dyes and techniques explored, natural dyes on wool and cotton, shibori, eco-printing, with indigo, cochineal, lac, St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum).
Day 3, 📍 Dilijan: Lake Sevan and Sevanavank Monastery, Fab Lab Armenia
The historic Sevanavank Monastery, situated on a peninsula by the lake, offers breathtaking views and a glimpse into Armenia's rich cultural history. Lake Sevan is a must-visit destination for its natural beauty and cultural significance.
We began the third day of Bootcamp with a trip to Dilijan, stopping at Lake Sevan for a coffee break and visiting the iconic monastery and its picturesque surroundings.
Lake Sevan is the largest alpine lake in the Caucasus, adorned with the iconic Sevanavank monastery, creates a picturesque marvel known as the "Pearl of Armenia."
Day 3, 📍 Dilijan: Fab Lab Armenia, Digital Fabrication Workshops
The first day of digital fabrication at the Fab Lab!
We arrived at the gorgeous Fab Lab Armenia, immersed in the forest of Dilijan, home for the next 3 days of hands-on activities.
3D Printing on Fabrics
3D printing technology for textiles allows to customize, decorate, shape and reshape textiles and fabrics in many ways. During the demo on Computational Design & 3D Printing on fabrics, participants learned how to design and 3D print rigid and flexible patterns and structures on fabrics / for fabrics / as fabrics, exploring different materials and techniques.
Open Source Circular Fashion
During the afternoon, participants learned how to design and laser cut seamless reconfigurable garments through 3d modeling software and laser cutting, different materials and techniques.
The focus is to create modular elements, structures and connections that allow the user to change the shape of a garment, resize it or replace certain elements; the soft connection can be designed to be implemented in the assembly of a garment, being applied on the seams or it can be designed as single elements that act as construction parts of a garment.
Day 4, 📍 Dilijan: Fab Lab Armenia, Leather Molding & BioMaterials, Bacteria Cellulose
In this workshop Participants experienced the fusion of traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology, while they learned about digital design for CNC and the different stages of leather molding.
Leather Molding
Guided by Fabricademy, participants learned essential techniques for wet molding leather, including soaking, shaping, and drying processes. Participants were provided with various molds and tools to create unique designs, experimenting with textures and forms. Throughout the workshop, there was a focus on both traditional methods and modern innovations in leather crafting.
The workshop also introduced participants to a series of open source tools and machines that can be designed and fabricated in any Fab Lab.
We demonstrated the use of the vacuum forming machine, made at Fab Lab Armenia, as a crucial device for shaping materials. It utilizes vacuum pressure to mold the leather over a CNC mold.
Bacteria Cellulose
The workshop on bacterial cellulose provided an overview of its unique properties and sustainable applications. Participants learned about the fermentation process, observed cultivation, and potential applications.
Together we experimented with different recipes for growing bacteria cellulose with wine, beer and tea.
We also experimented with SCOBY mothers and bacterial cellulose sheets to create innovative biomaterials, exploring different molds, textures, and designs.
BioMaterials
During the activity, participants were introduced to the biomaterial fabrication and, together with the Fabricademy team, they explored material alternatives to the current ones, different recipes, ingredients and processes.
Several DIY personalized materials were crafted during the sessions, hard and flexible bioplastics, alginate and alginate bio-threads, using different pigments, colors and local additives.
Day 5, 📍 Dilijan: Fab Lab Armenia, Electronics & OS Hardware
Discovering the world of electronics!
E-textiles and Wearables hands-on
Supported by Fabricademy team and Fab Lab Armenia Staff, participants learned how to design and craft their own soft circuits and sensors, experimenting with conductive fabrics and threads, merging local materials and traditional techniques with digital fabrication processes and DIY electronics.
Open Source Hardware - Cyanotype Machine, Tools and Textiles
Fab Lab Armenia Staff showcasing the ARPI UV Machine they fabricated in the lab for creating cyanotype prints using a UV light DIY CNC machine.
This combination of traditional techniques and modern technology allowed for the creation of intricate and detailed cyanotype prints.
Focus Group: Project Development
An intense brainstorming session prompted participants to reflect on the entire week, including museum visits, local history, and landmarks, to inspire their final projects.
The session focused on local heritage, reimagined through digital fabrication techniques such as 3D printing and laser cutting seamless modules. This influence was evident in the participants' choice of symbols, materials and color palette.
Participants iterating their final outcomes to be showcased at the final exhibition
Day 6, 📍 A day in Gyumri
Gyumri, a city with a rich cultural heritage in Armenia, stands out for its unique blend of history, architecture, and artistic expression. Renowned for its distinct charm, Gyumri boasts a collection of well-preserved traditional Armenian architecture, characterized by intricate stone carvings and cobblestone streets.
On the last morning of the Bootcamp, participants had the chance to wander through the vibrant heart of Gyumri, immersing themselves in the lively atmosphere and exploring the array of buildings, local galleries and museums, typical shops and cafés during their free time.
Lentex Factory Visit
Visiting the Lentex Factory in Gyumri provided a captivating journey into Armenian craftsmanship and tradition.
Participants gained insights into the processes, machinery, and materials at the Lentex Factory. Vibrant colors and intricate patterns within the textiles tell stories of heritage, seamlessly blending modern technology with age-old craftsmanship.
Founded in Gyumri in 2002, Lentex Factory is Armenia's largest hosiery and knitwear manufacturer, offering a diverse range of high-quality products.
Hands-on: Tech & Crafts - Cyanotype, Linotype, Batik - Printing Techniques and Textiles
At the Fine Arts Academy of Fashion, together with the Lab Staff, participants actively participated in a series of unique workshops on three different textile printing techniques: Batik printing, Cyanotype Printing and Linotype Printing.
Batik workshop
In the batik workshop, participants learned the traditional art of applying wax and dye to fabric to create typical armenian patterns. Guided by skilled artisans, they practiced designing, waxing, and dyeing their own textiles.
Linotype workshop
In the linotype workshop, participants designed and carved traditional Armenian patterns on linoleum, then learned how to use the linotype technique to print these designs onto canvas bags and textiles by operating the machine. They mastered the intricacies of the printing process, producing beautifully detailed designs.
Cyanotype workshop
In the cyanotype workshop, participants used local flowers and items collected along their journey to create unique prints. They learned to apply light-sensitive chemicals to paper, arrange their found objects, and expose them to UV light to develop stunning blue-toned images. This hands-on experience combined traditional cyanotype techniques with the natural beauty of their surroundings, resulting in personal and artistic creations.
Since 1997, Gyumri branch of Armenia's State Academy of Fine Arts has been offering local talent with hometown higher education opportunities.
Day 7, 📍 AGBU, Yerevan
The culminating event featured an open exhibition that showcased both local and international projects to the community.
At AGBU, we had the honor to host the exhibition featuring 3D printed garments, wearable devices, digital crafted projects and bio-based solutions developed by our students internationally.
Bootcamp's participants as well showcased their outcomes developed during the week, among them biomaterials research, modular and reconfigurable structures and full dresses at the intersection between tech and crafts, inspired by the local visits.
📍Fabricademy International Exhibition, Yerevan
Participant's designs showcased along with Fabricademy Projects
📍Closing Ceremony at Megerian Carpet, Yerevan
The Closing Ceremony and dinner for participants was organized at the Megerian Carpet Museum, renowned establishment, crafting exquisite handmade carpets that blend traditional Armenian artistry with contemporary elegance.
Megerian Carpet in Yerevan is a renowned establishment dedicated to the art of traditional Armenian carpet weaving. Established over a century ago, Megerian Carpet combines ancient techniques with contemporary designs to produce exquisite handmade rugs. Visitors to the Yerevan showroom and factory can witness the intricate process of carpet making, from dyeing the wool with natural colors to hand-knotting the patterns.
Fabricademy Bootcamp 2024 Armenia was possible through the support of Fab Lab Armenia and AGBU Armenia - Katapult and our sponsors.
With the local participation of OpenDot and Fab Foundation
Photo Credits:
Claudia | Fabricademy
Maria, Mushegh | punj.syndicate
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Applications will close August 31, 2024.
