Totem N°1 – Textile Tapestry
by Susanna Costantini · Silvi Marina, Italy

Susanna Costantini Atelier is a small studio of artisanal weaving based in Italy. The approach followed aims to highlight the exceptional value that comes from the interaction between hands and materials. The crafting process of each creation is exclusive and unique and each weaving project starts by observing natural patterns and exploring how different yarns and materials work synergistically with one another. The weavings created by Susanna Costantini are the result of a totally manual process, the works are woven on a traditional 4-shaft loom following a variety of weaving approaches and using selected, recycled or handcrafted yarns with manual spinning and natural dyeing. These choices give the works specific qualities and characterising irregularities. “My great grandmother was a weaver. She used to cultivate, to spin linen threads, to dress the loom and then to weave for crafting sheet towels or fabrics to be used every day. I still have worn out rags and incredibly fresh linen sheets which are over 100 years old. The fascinating irregularities of hand-spun threads and the narrative of hand weaving is mesmeric. Those antique and textured fabrics keep on teaching and telling me about the wisdom of hands. Hand weaving could be considered as an extreme analog practice nowadays but it’s like digital coding or a contemporary media language in some respects. Warp and weft are like a binary system and weaving offers endless possibilities of mixing materials and techniques. Weaving is also a way to explore visual art and communicate. "