The Czechs have a long tradition in textile design and fiber arts. The traditional village dresses and costumes were made from brocades, hand embroidery and handmade lace, and ribbons. Most craftspeople were involved in the clothing industry. Handiwork dominated the industry, but in the second half of the 18th Century textile factories were introduced and by the 19th Century large industrial complexes were producing woollen, cotton fabrics, printed textiles, and also machine-knotted and hand-knotted carpets, quilts, upholstery fabrics and tapestries. In 1894 the first tapestry workshop near Liberec, produced numerous designs of outstanding European Art Nouveau artists like the Czech Art Nouveau artist Alphonse Mucha.
The traditional textile design and production is kept alive by many craftspeople working in the Czech lands and by programs in several academies throughout the Czech Republic.
A Fibers Tour through Moravia, North and South Bohemia takes students to the Lace Museum in Vamberk, to a studio still producing batik-type printing with indigo dyes and hand stamps, a tapestry workshop in Valasské Mezirici, and a tapestry mill still producing blankets and woven fabrics. Also included are local artists' visits the studio and workshops.
Required Courses:
ADN 470/570: Fibers & Surface Design Studio (6 credits)
