Regional Science and Technology Fund
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Esta é uma presença online oficial do Governo dos Açores
Haptic Witnessing: The Sensory Experience of Basket Weaving
- StateONGOING
- NameZahra Tyebjee
- Home InstitutionRhode Island School of Design
- Host InstitutionAnda&Fala – Associação Cultural / Centro de Artesanato e Design dos Açores
- Field of StudyCrafts
Objective
This project aims to document and preserve Azorean basketry by working directly with local artisans to learn traditional weaving techniques and to map the craft’s full lifecycle—from cultivating raw materials to finished baskets. With basketry practiced by fewer artisans today, the project seeks to strengthen existing preservation efforts while highlighting the sensory and tactile qualities of the craft to deepen public engagement.
The research will culminate in an artist’s book and an interactive materials‑based exhibition, developed in collaboration with Anda&Fala – Associação Cultural and the Centro de Artesanato e Design dos Açores. Zahra Tyebjee, a material designer with an MFA in Textiles from the Rhode Island School of Design, brings a practice grounded in material exploration and emotional resonance. She looks forward to connecting with the local community as part of her fieldwork.
