-Exploring the new possibilities of IGUSA grass-
Kakegawa-Ori is a traditional Tatami weaving technique that has been handed down from ancient times in the Chikugo region of Fukuoka Prefecture in Japan.
Traditionally Kakegawa-Ori is made with the simple weaving structures with alternately repeated pattern at about 3 cm and 1 cm width pitch and as the result it can create attractive design by utilizing variations of the Igusa-grass weft.
I found the interesting similarities between the traditional Kakegawa-Ori pattern and the square shape of digital pixels. Using the similarity I was successful in creating Igusa-grass weaves that can replicate the impression of a painting using the pixel expression. By mixing the beautiful colors of the Igusa-grass, the image of the world-renowned Mona Lisa would surface. I intentionally selected the famous painting to simply show the potentials of the Igusa-Weaving and I would like to have many people enjoy experience the possibilities of the Japanese traditional Igusa Weaving.
The size of this Igusa MONA LISA is the same with the Japanese trational Tokyo Tatami Mat that is alsocalled EDOMA. (approximately 87 cm wide and 176 cm long)
Tatami Igusa-grass has been most the most suitable material for the rainy and humid climate in Japan. Igusa-grass can absorb and release moisture and can balance the humidity of the air.
However, because of the modern Life-Style changes, the use of the Tatami has been reduced dramatically and as the result the numbers of the Igusa farms dropped to 1/20 compared to the peak time.
In order to sustain the Japanese Igusa culture for the future generations, We must create new types of the products that use Igusa-grass with innovative and sustainable ideas,
‘ The New Katachi Surpassing Tatami ‘.
I created this PIXEL WEAVE MONA LISA because, it may open up the New Horizon of Igusa-grass suitable for the Modern Life Style and can cast the new light to the potentials of the Japanese beautiful traditions.
Production cooperation: IKEHIKO
福岡県の筑後地方に古くから伝わる伝統的な織りである掛川織は、約3ｃｍの大きな織り目と約1ｃｍの小さな織り目が、交互にくり返されている単純組織で構成され、緯糸に織り込むイグザの変化で紋様を織り出します。伝統的な掛川織の組織の単位と、デジタルピクセルの四角いカタチに類似性を見出し、ピクセル表現で絵画のようなイグサ織を製作しました。
イグサ織の美しい混色により、世界一有名な絵画と言われているモナリザが浮かび上がります。イグサ織の面白さをより多くの方に伝えたいと思い、今作では誰もが知っている有名絵画をモチーフとして選びました。この作品の大きさは江戸間の畳一畳（約87cmx176cm)のサイズになっています。
日本人の暮らしに不可欠であった畳・い草。呼吸する素材であるイグザは、雨が多く湿度が高い日本のくらしに適した素材です。しかし近年ライフスタイルの変化に伴い畳離れが進み国内の栽培農家は激減、軒数はピーク時の1/20に減少しました。日本のイグサ産業を未来に残していくには、イグサを用いた作品や製品を『畳ではない新しいカタチ』で私たちのライフスタイルへ提案する必要があると感じ、今回イグサを用いた掛川織での製作を試みました。
製作協力：株式会社イケヒコ・コーポレーション