akiko ikeuchi: silk vortex

‘knotted thread-red’ by akiko ikeuchi

for over two decades japanese artist akiko ikeuchi has been creating room-sized vortices of silk, tying hundreds of small knots in coloured thread to form elaborate gallery installations.

beginning with intricate plans resembling architectural diagrams, ikeuchi first lays a foundation structure using cotton thread. next, a second layer using fine silk thread is slowly knotted into a mesh, a process that spans nearly a month for an installation such as the one depicted. the resulting artwork straddles a interesting balance, appearing both imposing in scale yet almost completely weightless.

full view, on exhibition at the museum of contemporary art tokyo

detail view

view from above

ikeuchi handties hundreds to thousands of knots to create each work

examples of other installations by akiko ikeuchi

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this article has been contributed by colossal.