NEWS In Sliperiet’s state-of-the-art innovation environment in Umeå, designer Minna Palmqvist and artist Ricardo O’Nascimento will explore in what direction textile creation can be taken by the use of new digital technology.
Minna and Ricardo have been awarded residency scholarships in Sliperiet’s SoftLab – a digital prototype and experimental laboratory for textile and electronics, which is open to the public.
“The objective of my project at Sliperiet is a new collection which further builds on my sculptural expression and the conflict-ridden view on the female body,” explains Minna Palmqvist, designer and artist with fashion at the top of her mind. “The technology in SoftLab makes it possible for me to do what I can’t accomplish with my hands alone – it will be like an extension of myself.”
Ricardo O’Nascimento has his base in the Netherlands where he works on integrated technology in garments and accessories, so-called wearables.
”The scholarship provides an incredible opportunity to explore what new technologies are budding in the textile industry, and which are now available at Sliperiet,” he says.
Sliperiet is a cross-disciplinary innovation environment at Umeå University. It houses the first FabLab in Sweden, or fabrication lab as the full term reads, a creative workshop with technology and equipment for digital production where anyone can produce practically anything. Members of the public are welcome to develop their hobby project side by side with the research conducted by the university and companies’ product development.
The latest addition to the prototype workshops is SoftLab, which now offers a completely unique range of digital technologies for various materials. At SoftLab, creatives, designers and product developers – as well as enthusiast makers – are offered a chance to bring their ideas to life.
“Digital production isn’t all about laser cutters and 3D printing. The opening of SoftLab provides access to experimenting with smart textiles and wearables as new forms of digital production become available to the general crowd,” says Linnéa Therese Dimitriou, creative director at Sliperiet.
SoftLab and the scholarship programme have been financed among others by The Swedish Trade Federation, the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth and Umeå municipality. In the near future, another four scholarship holders will join thanks to funds provided by the Hakon Swenson Foundation.
SoftLab is a part of FabLab Umeå. From 20 January 2016, both labs are open to the public on Wednesdays at 13:00-20:00. During these times, volunteers are available to help enthusiasts and creators along with the technology.
Linnéa Therese Dimitriou, creative director at SliperietPhone: +46 70-653 08 71
Email: linnea.dimitriou@umu.se
Marlene Johansson, director at SliperietPhone: +46 72-533 99 21
Email: marlene.johansson@umu.se
Minna Palmqvist
Email: contact@minnapalmqvist.com
www.minnapalmqvist.com
Ricardo O’Nascimento
Email: ricardo@popkalab.com
www.popkalab.com
Caption: SoftLab at Sliperiet at Umeå Arts Campus. Photo credit: Eva Antonsson
Editor: Anna Lawrence