ENLACE by Aranda/Lasch
"Enlace" conveys the notions of intertwining or embracing. In English, it refers to physical or abstract linking, reminiscent of weaving thread, while in French, it signifies an embrace, emphasizing human connection. The focus of this project is the renowned cafe chair, emblematic of French craftsmanship. Maison Louis Drucker, established in 1885, played a pivotal role in popularizing this chair, known for its distinctive bentwood frame and woven rattan patterns.
This collection is about bringing together the algorithmic potential of the digital artwork with the time-honored craft of weaving in cane as exemplified by Maison Louis Drucker. Enlace uses digital tools to open a co-creative process with a historic house of craft. New technology and traditional craft are not in conflict. Enlace claims the opposite, that the deep and time-honored traditions of craft use generative processes as part of their making and heritage.
Aranda/Lasch
Aranda\Lasch makes objects, installations and buildings through a deep investigation of culture, materials, and algorithmic processes. Located in New York City and Tucson, the studio is led by Benjamin Aranda, JoaquÃn Bonifaz and Chris Lasch. Their work is part of the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York and The Art Institute of Chicago. Recognition includes the United States Artists Award, the League Emerging Voices Award, and the Graham Foundation. Their early projects are the subject of the book, Tooling, and the more recent publication, Trace Elements. Aranda\Lasch has exhibited internationally in galleries, museums and is represented by Volume Gallery and Gallery All. The Sarasota Museum of Art and Volume Gallery recently exhibited their decade-long project in making baskets with Native American weavers. Dedicated to education, Benjamin Aranda teaches at The Cooper Union in New York City and Chris Lasch is president of The School of Architecture (TSOA) in Arizona.
Enlace utilizes the weaving draft format, a graphic language that provides the minimal and necessary information for weavers to execute patterns of any size and complexity, one thread at a time. This project abstracts this language for novel generative outputs, slightly altering its representation while maintaining its utility, allowing any weaver, human or machine, to interpret Enlace as weaving instructions. Enlace focuses on providing the essential instructions for creating various woven items, rather than the final product. A weaving draft consists of four parts: threading on the top row, treadling on the right column, the tie-up pattern in the top right corner, and the resultant weave in the main quadrant. These drafts enable weavers to document, share, and disseminate their work, often becoming artistic pieces themselves due to their detailed and artistic renderings.
Interested in creating custom Enlace chairs? Email info@trameparis.com for more information.
Play with the Enlace algorithm: