Ryth Kesselring
Artiste multidisciplinaire
Artistic Statement
Ryth Kesselring's interdisciplinairy practice examins the ecosystems of fibrous materials and soundscapes that reflect on environmental, political and social issues. She draw parallels between the archival potential of textile objects and the memories emerging from sonic elements. By weaving new media directly into textile structures she creates flexible circuits where sonic elements are emerging from the cloth through experimental textile speakers. Needlework, embroidery or weaving contains the history and are embodying the stories of their struggles and skills to adapt to a specific site and build bridges between generations. Kesselring's research expands the link between tactile and sonic remembrances to vegetal communication systems putting forward the subtle voices of the landscape. The sonic cadence created by the plants echoes contemporary struggles concerning environmental issues.
The source materials for her works are natural fibres such as linen, cotton, wool, and new media including electronics, sound and microcontrollers. Kesselring accentuate the tension between traditional methods and new technologies by introducing sonorous elements that are blurring the lines of time. Over the past few years, the weaving loom is her main working tool and its soundscape feedback loops throughout history. The Loom is maintaining the rhythms of traditions and identities; it functions as a connector between generations and communities. Ryth Kesselring's recent work reflects on ecological urgency in natural and digital ecosystems, thinking about the materialisation of the Anthropocene and the role of textiles in contemporary times.
biography
Born in Switzerland, Ryth Kesselring moved to Québec during her childhood. Her interdisciplinary research focuses on sound, textiles and the rhythms of craftsmanship as imprints of the textile memories. In her recent work she uses weaving, sound, electronics and plants to create interactive ecosystems that are reflecting on political and ecological issues. She is a MFA candidate in Studio Arts with a specialisation in Fibres and Material Practices at Concordia University. She worked as research assistant for different research-creation projects as for studio subTela where she worked on electronics and embroideries for interactive textiles. Ryth Kesselring’s work has been shown nationally and internationally through residencies and exhibitions. She is a recipient of several research grants and awards as the FRQSC scholarship and the Joseph-Armand-Bombardier scholarship. She is active as an educator offering studio art workshops and e-textile master classes.
Photo credit: Véronique Messier