DATE: Sunday, April 15, 2012, 1:00 pm
SITE: St. Johns Hospital – Oakland: Education Center
27351 Dequindre Rd (West side); Madison Heights
(North of 11 Mile Rd • South of 12 Mile
Conveniently located North of I-696 and East of I-75)
Meeting Information: Patricia Beer @ (586) 558-9767
4709 Year of the Dragon
Video presentation
Aizome - Indigo dyeing
Dr. Russell Yamazaki , -
presenter
Indigo, the chemical that imparts the blue to blue jeans, was one of the earliest dyes used by humans. Indigo can be extracted from many plants, but the first sources seem to be the Indigofera varieties found in tropical regions. In early times, India became a supplier to the Greek and Roman civilizations, and the name indigo is derived from the Greek word for Indian. Throughout history up to the advent of the modern chemical industry, indigo. from plant sources was a precious trading commodity.
The Japanese word aizome comes from ai meaning indigo and zome meaning dyed. During the Edo period (1600-1867) in Japan, commoners were forbidden to wear silk so that cotton was the primary fiber used for clothing. Cotton is difficult to dye with most natural vegetable dyes, but indigo is well suited. To provide variety from monochromatic dyeing, methods to produce images by preventing the dye from reaching portions of the material were invented. The paste-resist method uses paste applied freehand or with a stencil to produce a picture or pattern; shibori uses knots to produce a tie-dyed style.
The video for this presentation illustrates the techniques for indigo dyeing and also some new applications of this ancient practice.
Please bring examples of aizome such as yukata (summer kimono) and noren (curtains traditionally used in entrances to businesses) or other objects that you may have that relate to this program.
Pauline Kavesky has many slides of Chinese Bronzes and Ceramics she is willing to give them to an interested person.
Often regarded as one of the most important signs in the zodiac, Chinese tradition dictates that those born in Dragon years tend to be brave, innovative and highly driven, regularly making it to the top of their profession Marie Woo is a dragon year person in our group.
Members & Guests are encouraged to bring items relating to this program to share with the group.
Join us at Mongolian Buffet, 12 Mile & Ryan for dinner
(about $ 11.00 each) after the meeting.
Visit our web site, type: Michigan Oriental Art Society in your search
