We spent the morning at the Kilkenny Design Center, which is home to The National Design and Craft Gallery located in the former stable yard of Kilkenny Castle.
Kilkenny Castle–across the street from the Design Center
Kilkenny side street view
There was an exhibition of fascinating designer wear, much of it featuring unexpected materials. Just like Project Runway! The piece below has yards and yards of pleated fabric. I’m guessing it’s quite heavy to wear.
Sybil Connelly–maker
The piece below looks fierce. But in fact, the spikes attached to the acrylic square are soft.
Maiko Tekada–designer
Detail
Love the laser-cut look of this suit. Somehow I missed the designer’s name.
Designer unknown
Una Burke–designer
Derek Lawlor–designer
Behind the Design Center are artists’ studios. In a center courtyard is an art installation. Loved it.
Outdoor Installation
Through the courtyard is a lovely manor home and garden.
Manor House
We headed to Grennon Mill Craft School for a silk fusion papermaking workshop with artist Tunde Toth. I’ve never done silk papermaking before but found the process easy to learn, enjoyable, and one which allowed much creativity both in producing the paper and using it afterward. Here’s a brief photo essay of the process.
Fiber for paper making base
Separating cocoon throwsters which will add texture to paper
Layering materials fibers on parchment paper
Ready for spraying
Spray fibers to wet sufficiently
Spraying fibers that include paint
Fold parchment paper over top of materials
Work water into fibers
Iron afterward to dry the paper which takes some time. Some class samples.
Tunde’s completed paper–no paint added
My three samples–middle is without paint
Participant sample
Finished and framed piece by Tunde Toth
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