Mrs.
Basic information
Project Title
Full project title
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Project Description
Hand-woven linen contemporary area rugs of unique design, based on modern paintings by Agne Kisonaite.
Exclusive eco-product: handmade, 100% eco linen, hypoallergenic, simple to clean.
Project Region
EU Programme or fund
Description of the project
Summary
This project is a unique cooperation between Lithuanian artist Agne Kisonaite and linen hand-woven rugs makers. The collection of modern area rugs “Birds” is inspired by Agne's paintings. The collection consists of nine different but very well known Lithuanian birds, hand-woven in linen rugs. These rugs visited a high number of exhibitions, including “Domotex Hannover,” “Stockholm Light and Furniture Fair,” “IMM Cologne,” “Maison et objet” (Paris), etc.
Home is a deeply personal space, revealing a unique taste and matching our personality. Neat and chic, contemporary linen rugs are compatible with any modern home décor. A hand-woven rug can become an essential accent piece for a bedroom, dining area, or living room. Contemporary area rugs never fail to stand out from the crowd due to their exclusive high quality and durability.
In Lithuanian culture, linen is truly special – honoured in songs and imbued with special powers. Linen has been a companion of the Lithuanian people for many years. This material is also highly appreciated in home decor. It takes loads of time and effort to produce linen, but it doesn’t have any harmful effects on our nature and doesn’t provide any waste.
Linen rugs can contribute to a healthier home environment as they accumulate less dust and other allergens. Linen has antibacterial qualities and prevents the microbes from spreading. This characteristic is the most valuable at home.
Linen fabric is well known for its thermoregulatory properties – in winter, it provides warmth and, in summer, treats you with refreshing coolness. Linen fabric, while dense and firm, is also extremely soft.
Co-working with Lithuanian rugs manufacture in a province town named Panevezys, Agne empowers local craftsmen to showcase their work in a modern culture.
Key objectives for sustainability
In my works, I always aim to use environmentally-friendly materials without compromising the quality or the looks. Linen seemed like the perfect choice due to its beautiful look and reputation for being the greenest fabric in the world. That's how it became the main material of this project. While linen is going through a Rennaisance in fashion for its thermoregulatory properties, there is much more to it. First of all, it's one of the most sustainable fabrics, as the production of it doesn't have any harmful effects, and there is no waste. Producing linen requires minimal use of water, while the process itself is chemical-free.
Linen is also one of the oldest fabrics in the world, and the use of it is deeply rooted in Lithuanian culture. Because of this, linen is produced locally, reducing transportation waste even further. Interestingly enough, linen gets softer with time, meaning that even after years of use, the rugs will be soft and pleasant to touch.
Finally, the local, hand-made production of the rugs in a small, artisanal factory further ensures the minimal use of resources and eliminates shipping waste.
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
As an artist, I have always had high standards for the aesthetics of my works. And while I usually want my works to have a message behind them, I want them to be beautiful to look at, too. I also believe that beauty never fades, so my goal was to make a product that would last a lifetime.
I believe that my paintings meet both of these criteria, thus I decided to create rugs inspired by them – this way, the beauty can be enjoyed from different angles, one can touch it, and incorporate into the daily life. Working with a small, artisanal manufacture allowed me to make sure that each painting is replicated in an ideal precision and that I was truly happy with the result.
The user experience is unprecedented, too – while linen is known for its rough surface, the rugs are incredibly soft, and get even softer with time. The colorful, unexpected paintings create a surprise factor in any room, often becoming the main focus of the particular interior. More often than not, rugs are perceived as an additional detail to a space, while the "Birds" collection can become the axis of it.
Many people cannot enjoy the luxury of having rugs at home due to dust and other allergies. However, linen is completely hypoallergenic, has antibacterial properties and prevents the microbes from spreading, making the rugs safe for both the little ones and those with allergies.
Key objectives for inclusion
Creating art is often a solo trip. However, rug weaving is a craft, requiring years and years of experience. Fully aware that I don't have this, I turned into a small local artisan company. I wanted to participate in the process as much as I could, thus a huge manufacture was not an option. Giving the work to the traditional craftsmen meant that I will contribute to the preservation of this highly traditional craft. Having chosen a local province town, I have helped people to maintain their jobs and traditions.
Simultaneously, I believe that this project contributes to the general popularity of hand-woven, sustainable rugs. Not only this helps to sustain one local manufacture, but raises awareness about the craft, increasing appreciation for it and encouraging further development of it.
Results in relation to category
The collection of hand-woven rugs invites people to look for sustainable and unexpected home decor items. When it comes to sustainability in the interior, many people think vintage and second-hand, with plenty of modern interior lovers left with too little options. "Birds" provide a much-needed alternative: the bright, modern, and chic design speaks to most modern interiors, while the environmentally-friendly linen and local production in small quantities ensures the sustainability and longevity.
How Citizens benefit
Outsourcing the production of the rugs from a small factory in a province of Lithuania helps with supporting local craftsmen, ensuring they can continue working in this highly traditional area and spread their knowledge to the upcoming generations.
Simulatenously, the modern, fun, eye-catching design increases the popularity of hand-made rugs in general, which will hopefully raise more awareness about this type of home decor.
Finally, the chosen fabric – linen – allows people with allergies to safely adorn their homes.
Innovative character
While linen rugs have excisted before, it would be hard to find another ones with paintings of a prominent modern artist. Their bright, chic and modern appearance invites one to look beyond the usual functionality of a rug, and use it solely for decoration by hanging on a wall, too.
