Weaving connections: New research unites textiles, insects, and indigenous knowledge

Launching in spring 2025, the project "Weaving as worlding practices with earth beings (WeB)”, funded by the Swedish Research Council, will connect two communities that relate with nature in distinct ways: The I.N.S.E.C.T. summer camp, an annual gathering of western design researchers, artists, architects, ecologists, and biologists and the people of Sarayaku living in the Amazon region of Ecuador. 

Co-Creation as a Basis for Creative Exchange 

Svenja Keune, a textile design researcher, is experienced in bridging disciplines through the co-creation of projects, events, and experiences and believes that this approach will lead to a meaningful exchange of knowledge between the two communities. 

"Together with both groups, we will co-create and explore which techniques and artifacts can facilitate meaningful creative exchanges. These could include weaving, crochet, or 3D printing," she explains. 

Svenja Keune also anticipates that the project will challenge colonial scientific terminology, encouraging a more collaborative and inclusive understanding of natural systems. However, she emphasizes that the co-creative methodology of the project allows it to remain open regarding its specific outcomes. 

"For me personally, one of the key goals is to continue to understand how we can live more in harmony with our natural environment. After years of experimenting with my own everyday life I am curious to meet the people of Sarayaku and co-create artefacts that represent and share practices and knowledge between both communities.” 

A Vision for the Future 

Asya, Kuai and Svenja will visit the people of Sarayaku in July this year, followed by the I.N.S.E.C.T. Summercamp taking place in Denmark in August. The registration for the camp is open until April 30th. 

"It’s very exciting, and it’s going to be an intense journey. In these first months we already learned so much and it will be a continuous effort to navigate academic and indigenous ways. We are striving to be very sensitive and reflective to the colonial colourings of our western and academic ways of doing things. Sometimes we will fail but we hope to develop an approach that can serve as an example for future collaborations.” 

Read more about the project 

Read more about I.N.S.E.C.T. Summercamp