Alter-Altering

In this era of questioning, even the most fundamental building blocks of society are interrogated. What is a woven fabric and is there another way to envelope our vulnerable bodies? 100,000 years ago woven textiles joined animal hides to form the second skin of early humankind. But now, the processes of woven fabrics; harvesting, weaving and dying contribute 20% of all the polluted waters on Earth. As we interrogate our practices we have to ask if there is there another way? Zhuolin Liu considered this question and took inspiration from a latex-like, recycled plastic material she played with as a child. Environmentally friendly, the liquid cooled to a rubber-like finish that could be manipulated and fused with tulle and wool to create new vibrant materials. Like a prehistoric mosquito trapped in amber, Liu has encased her threads in neon coloured latex-like veins and arteries under the skin. Like a material alchemist, she experimented with the liquid at high temperatures, added natural coloured dyes and sought to create structured garments from non-structured materials. Alter-Altering questions the meaning of material and creates a new skin that beautifully fuses conventional materials with layers of colour and texture.