Laura Viada employs many different weaving techniques to create visually complex artworks using the simple elements of basic geometric form and the interaction of color. Her work explores the way the human eyes and brain perceive and interpret color, and how they blend colors through a process known as optical mixing. For over 25 years, Laura has been an active member of the Texas weaving community. Laura is a member of Archway Gallery in Houston, Texas, and serves on the gallery’s Board of Directors.
Chromatic Event Modules in Woven Cloth
Inspired by the work of the late Venezuelan artist, Carlos Cruz-Diez, Laura began exploring the use of what he referred to as “chromatic event modules” as a basis for creating visually complex woven cloth. In this seminar, Laura will illustrate Cruz-Diez’s theories and how she applied them to her weaving, how to create a design, the basics principals of additive color mixing, and which weave structures work best. Once the basics of using the modules are understood, a whole world of color experimentation and surprises opens up.
This session will be captured for the Weavers Handshake, CW’s online, on-demand learning platform.
Complexity From Simplicity: Color and Technique Variations in Diversified Plain Weave
Diversified Plain Weave is a tied unit weave that offers considerable opportunity for experimentation with color and technique. Because the structure produces a grid-like appearance in the woven cloth and individual units are easily visible, it’s a good choice for techniques like pick-up and clasped weft. The contrast between pattern and background can be well-defined or muted, depending on the color and size of yarns chosen, providing interesting options for color experimentation and blending. All of this allows for visually complex cloth using as few as four shafts.
This session will be captured for the Weavers Handshake, CW’s online, on-demand learning platform.