Reviving Tradition: Aya Kawabata's "Sun and Night"

Award-winning textile design merges old techniques with modern aesthetics

Using the timeless aesthetic of Jacquard weaving, Kawabata has created a textile that stands out for its unique properties. The harmony of color and texture, achieved through the combination of warp and weft, results in new colors and a surface of tiny, three-dimensional structures. This graphical textile can transform any wall or surface, creating a new environment.

The realization of "Sun and Night" involved a blend of technology and traditional technique. The Jacquard weaving loom, a tool used for over 200 years, allowed Kawabata to mix different structures into the textile. Pearl cotton yarns were chosen for their unique texture and highly reflective qualities, enhancing the three-dimensional feel of the piece.

Technical specifications of the design reveal a careful selection of materials and techniques. The textile is made with five colors of yarns with four different weaving structures. Bold and reflective yarns were chosen to enhance the three-dimensional feel of the final pieces. The classic Jacquard weaving technique was mixed with modern colors, materials, and imagery to create an interesting juxtaposition.

The interaction with the design is a reflection of Kawabata's interest in the relationship between traditional and contemporary ideas. The three-dimensional texture creates an interesting relationship between the viewer and the piece as the contours and colors of the surface shift with the viewer's movement. This design, therefore, connects the past, present, and future in a unique way.

"Sun and Night" was exhibited at various international design festivals, including the DMY international design festival Berlin, London design week, Cranbrook Art museum, Pink Dot Award Exhibition between Milano Design Week, and Design pier Usage gallery in Hong Kong in 2016. The project was a result of extensive research in materials and colors, with the weaving technique bringing Kawabata's sketches to life.

The design process was not without challenges. The use of thick yarns, while providing depth and texture, made it difficult to create detailed imagery. This led to a redesign and simplification of the original image and a narrowing of the color palette. However, these limitations led to an interesting solution and a testament to the fact that challenges often uncover new opportunities.

In conclusion, Aya Kawabata's "Sun and Night" is a remarkable piece of textile design that beautifully merges traditional techniques with modern aesthetics. It is a testament to the power of design to connect the past, present, and future, and to create a unique, individual experience for each viewer.