22 May 2013

Audiovisual Aid


For years I've wanted to take and post videos of my work with the warp-weighted loom.  Until now, my access to technology required a second person to act as tripod and operator, and that hasn't worked out very well given the relationship that needed to exist between the camera and the work.  But today, thanks to advances in technology, I was able to take my first videos all by my ownself using Google Glass.

Most of what I took today isn't good enough to be postable.  The equipment limits each video to ten seconds in length, and I have to learn where to look and how close to get.  I'll be taking a lot more as I learn about how to take effective ones.

Here is a sample of the kind of videos that will come along as I am able to make them.  This particular video shows part of the dance that occurs in the Back Again (or Return) row of weaving.  After putting the weft through it, the countershed is dropped and the initial resting shed must reassert itself.  I strum the warp all the way across to help the threads shake themselves loose of one another.  This process makes two kinds of noises, the strumming sound and the clink of the loom weights as they rock and settle back into their resting position.



Stay tuned for more videos, hopefully within the week.

ETA:  Technical difficulties solved.

#throughglass

4 comments:

  1. Nifty! Looking forward to more, since you're too far away for me to see it in person.

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  2. What weight of fibre are you using for the weaving?

    Thanks!

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    Replies
    1. I am using a 2/20s worsted with a heavier woollen for the selvedges.

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  3. Wow, I am very impressed by this project! I am new to blogspot and I can't figure out how to send private messages on here, but I have a few questions. My name is Tara and I'm a university student (Classical Studies) applying for a grant so that I can build my own full-sized, warp-weighted loom. What I'm wondering (if you don't mind my asking) is how much this loom cost to make, and what kind of wood you used for the upright beams, cloth beam, and shed rod? It looks like pine or something similar, right? I think I read that you used a closet rod for the last, but I can't find that post now! I do apologize if you said these things already, because I have read nearly all of your posts in this series but I can't remember whether you specified at any point.

    If you would rather email me, my email address is taramcgil@gmail.com. My main question is about the cost of the project as a whole, because the application wants me to estimate my budget but I have no idea where to start!

    Thank you so much for your time,
    Tara

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