XTANT
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Project Title
Full project title
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Project Description
The term “(e)xtant” describes that which still exists, that which has not disappeared, that which continues. XTANT speaks of looking back to move forward, of valuing the traditions inherited from our ancestors, of honoring the richness and diversity of our tangible and intangible heritage, of remembering everything that makes us human.
XTANT is part of a far-reaching global initiative whose objective is to establish a heritage textile guild for the modern age.
Geographical Scope
Project Region
Urban or rural issues
Physical or other transformations
EU Programme or fund
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Description of the project
Summary
We are convinced that heritage textiles carry in them important secrets waiting to be deciphered and rescued. Textiles are language. The first language. In the past, humans used warp and weft before words existed. The first civilizations used threads to express individuality, status, beliefs, communities and, above all, diversity.
Heritage is the legacy of those who came before us. We inherited land, language, ecosystems, knowledge and culture. Our heritage is a reminder of who we are as human beings ... Textiles are texts and sources of information; they contain codes and signs that speak of roots, continuity and strength.
In the summer of 2021, just when the world began to wake up after the great pause, the island of Mallorca hosted XTANT 2021 which took place on the terrace of the Esbaluar Museum and in Can Balaguer, two emblematic heritage buildings in Palma.
The event was attended by more than 40 artisans and artists from 23 countries, including pineapple fiber weavers from the Philippines; Mixtec artisans who preserve the tradition of dyeing with the purple-bellied snail from Mexico; a collective of 200 artisans from Bhutan with a collection that pays tribute to the symbols of their culture; a selection of textile masters from India, represented by the Indian Ambassador to Spain; as well as a distinguished group of Spanish and Mallorcan textile artisans and artists.
Key objectives for sustainability
The term “(e)xtant” describes that which still exists, that which has not disappeared, that which continues. XTANT speaks of looking back to move forward, of valuing the traditions inherited from our ancestors, of honoring the richness and diversity of our tangible and intangible heritage, of remembering everything that makes us human.
XTANT is part of a far-reaching global initiative whose objective is to establish a heritage textile guild for the modern age, with educational, commercial and communication components. With the following objectives:
1. To create a community around shared values fostering collective learning around heritage textiles.
2. To highlight the work of master craftspeople from around the globe inspiring the next generations.
3. To recreate a guild of heritage textiles in the style of William Morris / John Ruskin so that this ancient knowledge can survive and thrive.
4. To educate the consumer about the importance and value of heritage textiles
5. To promote collecting heritage textiles as contemporary art.
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
For XTANT, inspiring containers are just as important as the great content. On this occasion, XTANT collaborated with Pol Taylor, a Scottish architect based in Mallorca and an expert in ephemeral structures. “XTANT 2021 took place on the terrace of Esbaluar Museu and against the walls of the medieval city. Its monumental permanence acts as a counterpoint both to the fleeting presence of the event, as well as a metaphor for the ancient traditions of Savoir Faire to which its content refers. The structure created was the result of the mixture between the three-dimensional fabric of nautical principles of tensions and knots; in contrast to the
poetry and subtlety of the work of the Mallorcan artist Tatiana Sarasa, who prepared a mixture of natural dyes to achieve a shadow that recalls the warm tones of the medieval stone wall and the earth tones of many of the textiles represented at the event.
Respecting the philosophy of no waste, up-cycling and cultural relevance, XTANT dressed up with rural furniture from a second-hand shop in Felanitx, who lent us exquisite pieces for the event.
During the week of the event and under a wonderful ancient tree, we meet twice a day to listen to talks, round tables and workshops on topics such as “everything
we do returns to earth”; Africa in the world ́s design landscape; Weaving Knowledge: the legacy of Castilla La Mancha; the history of Tarahumara textiles; and the New Bauhaus, among many other
Key objectives for inclusion
» “If someone had told me that there would be a textile meeting of this size in Mallorca a few years ago, I would have doubted it! But Kavita Parmar and Marcella Echavarria not only created a textile exhibition, but also a community of people sharing their knowledge and passion about the importance that textiles have in societies throughout history. My experience was enriching and I was left with a feeling of “revolution”, because the message was clear: “progress” consists of returning to crafts (and agriculture) and this promotes local work, quality and awareness. So thanks to projects like Xtant, which go beyond beauty. “ Adriana Meunié, Mallorca
» “ For me, XTANT 20221 represented a tapestry of hope where magic was woven between like-minded people who believe in the possibility that there are sincere ways to build a future honoring the past. ”Tatiana Sarasa, Mallorca
» “At Xtant, culture, heritage and avant-garde were woven over a few days. The best thing was meeting people with whom I share a way of life. XTANT 2021 was an experience I will never forget. ̈ Sergio Rosas, Albacete, Artesania Eustaquio Rosas
» “ I loved participating, being part of your exquisite selection of designers, artisans, artists encourages me to continue creating. Being surrounded by beauty and meeting the people behind it has been very enriching. We can connect because we share ideals in terms of sustainable design, commitment to the environment and above all, keeping artisanal design alive and innovative at a global level. “Irene Peukes, Mallorc
Results in relation to category
We are certain that there is a need for a new narrative. For this we invite our tribe again to start a new plot with hope, patience and joy.
XTANT provided the context for a new narrative with textiles as a window into the reclaiming of much needed universal principles such as sustainability, circularity, sense of belonging, etc.
How Citizens benefit
Majorca has a very long and interesting textile history. The mystical island stretching over 3,600 square kilometres and with over a million inhabitants was one of the main places for the production of flax and hemp in the Mediterranean, although tourism offered new opportunities and agriculture took a back seat.
The island is also home to the Telas de Lenguas, a hand-dyed type of ikat with
a smudged, discontinuous pattern and featuring the lively irregular colours often present in many local homes. Because of its strategic location, Majorca was once the central mooring site of ships transiting the 170 commercial routes between Asia and Europe. This and similarities with oriental ikats trace this weaving tradition to the Far East, with blue remaining a favourite colour today. At Majorcan flea markets, it is still possible to find remnants of the locally woven antique cloth used for sheets and wedding blankets. This is a heavy rustic linen, traditionally made of hemp, flax and cotton, originally grown in the island but no longer produced.
When XTANT – the heritage textile event created by Kavita Parmar and Marcella Echavarria – chose the Balearian island as its 2021 location, Rosa Esteva, the Majorcan designer behind the label Cortana, responded to the invitation with enthusiasm. “When Cortana launched 20 years ago, I had a very clear intention of creating a sustainable brand and always insisted, against all odds, to produce locally in Spain using natural fibres sourced in Europe. Now we’d like to take our philosophy a step further and are working on creating fabrics with locally grown fibres from Mallorca. We are happy to see a growing interest in reclaiming local materials and more brands embracing smaller artisanal collections” affirms Rosa.
Physical or other transformations
Innovative character
“Majorca is a whole world. With so much traveling around I think we have lost the feeling of belonging to a place, that’s why we don’t really care where we are or where we go; we are simply passengers. The only way to be able to contribute positively to a place is by getting to know it, asking questions, spending time, respecting the local habitants and their ways of living. That is why I am happy to be here, where I was lucky enough to be born. I try to reclaim raw materials as the basis for developing future craft, design or industry projects.” Adriana Meunie
For Adriana, her choice of materials is directly linked to her consciousness as a responsible artist who is firmly grounded
in the place where she comes from on a very deep level. It is through her material explorations that she is unravelling many ancient stories that carry with them messages and cues into a possible future. A future well rooted in the rich rural past of Majorca.
Majorca has a very long and interesting textile history. The mystical island stretching over 3,600 square kilometres and with over a million inhabitants was one of the main places for the production of flax and hemp in the Mediterranean, although tourism offered new opportunities and agriculture took a back seat.
Learning transferred to other parties
We are continuing the project this year. The theme is TRAMA ( which is spanish for WEFT or NARRATIVE ) . It feels like in this very binary moment we need to come together and build a new narrative full of hope.
The event has three pillars this year
EDUCATION :
We are organizing a Master course of 10 days full of workshops, talks and debates between the most celebrated maestros and maestras from the world of heritage craft and people from the tech world working on the future ( ethics, AI, Machine Learning )
It is urgent that these two worlds, the past and the future be brought together at this very pivotal moment to hear from each other and to help build a new narrative that is informed by ancestral knowledge and powered by exciting technology.
We need to calibrate our compass before we turbo boost into the future.
These 10 days are meant to incite, inspire and elate both sides with hope and purpose.
The dates for this course ¨NEW NARRATIVE : Heritage empowering Technology¨ are 7th to 17th of JUNE
ARTISAN MARKET
Bigger and better with over 45 invited celebrated artists and artisans from all over the globe who are engineering a new narrative with their work based in Heritage techniques,
17th to 20th of June ( Friday , Saturday , Sunday and Monday )
EXPERIENCE
Two 5 day experiences designed for those that want to have an unforgettable and a real immersive experience of Mallorca. Here we are teaming up with the department of Heritage of the Mallorcan government and the brightest of artists, designers, chefs, entrepreneurs working on projects based in sustainable circular and community driven solutions.
The five days are being designed with the unique, rare and delightful moments to inspire and bring joy.
No more than 13 people per group to allow for time to bond and a real sacred communion.
