Installation Backgrounds - Weaving Experimentation & Attempts

Having tried and experimented ways in which to hang my installation and considering multiple different materials, I began researching ways to create some sort of free-standing backdrop instead. From here, my ideas involve attaching the elements I need to, to the backdrop, opposed to them individually hanging. Prior to practicing, I feel this could be a significant method that I am intrigued to develop further.

Netting To my surprise, one of the first suggestions to come up within my research of creating a freestanding backdrop was the construction of a simple net that is often used for the likes of catching fish, or creating a bag/basket to hold items. The steps I followed are photographed below - where this was an initial practice, I didn't complete the net as perfectly as I perhaps could have, but the experiment was beneficial in providing me with an idea of the end appearance. A key element for me where constructing a backdrop, is that there are holes across it - this will prove to be of benefit to the plants and allowing them to receive light from all angles, opposed to being attached to a backdrop that prohibits light from one angle/side. In this sense, the net idea works perfectly, however because I constructed this net slightly loose, it did not prove effective or strong where attempting to hang anything from it - it would very easily be pulled down.

Basket Weaving A second attempt I made was after analysing the construction of a basket - the steps I followed can be seen below. The initial idea I had here, was to use the same technique applied when constructing a basket, but to have it as a flat layout. Where small gaps where kept within the design of the tutorial I observed, the same outcome was not reflected in my ow attempt. The mistake I made was using string too thin to wrap around, and therefore holes could not be made without the overall product proving flimsy. As can be seen within the last photographs below, I ended up with a weave that looked and felt secure, however it did not contain the holes and gaps I would have liked, as mentioned previously. Where this method was rather time consuming, I did not continue further with it as its result was not looking a promising option.

Basket Weaving 2.0

I attempted the same process again, but with thicker string. Again, it proved unsuccessful and not what I had in mind for my installation. Evidently, this method being one to construct a basket meant that the finished piece would be circular - this is something I considered where attempting these processes however soon decided against it.

Blanket Weaving From here I decided to move away from circular basket weaving techniques, onto those used where making blankets - the rectangular shape I am aiming for, as it would cover the most space necessary. The steps I took are shown below. I initially started by practicing with a thicker string in the first stages where deciding if I would like to take this method any further. Where the weave was looking like a likely option, I decided to switch to the natural biodegradable twine I knew I wanted to use within the construction of my installation.

Blanket Weaving 2.0

Following the same steps as before, I continued the pattern for the first row, and then the same back down, enhancing and pulling the hoops I needed to make prominent, on the way. Pulling out the hoops, as can be seen within the pictures, set me up to continue the stitch back and forth of each row. Where this technique was time consuming, it was an enjoyable process which I was willing to take to a much further extent (than those prior).

Taking a few hours repeating the same weaving process, I produced a smaller blanket/background from the twine - approximately 30Lx10wcm. This small prototype, which I could have continued with, proved strong and sturdy and would have certainly held the elements I planned for it to hold - yet I was unsure of its overall appearance. The gaps and holes weren't necessarily as wide as I would have liked, and I feel as though this outcome would have certainly continued to block a lot of the light out that would be of benefit to the plants within my installation. Please see my blog to follow for the outcome I decided on.