Web Warp & Weft

Author: Helen Whitehead

Web URL or medium: webwarpweft.com

Description: Web Warp and Weft is a thought-provoking website exploring the relationships between the making of textiles and the making of the Web. Built by writer Helen Whitehead, with the support of a UK Year of the Artist Award in 2000/2001, the website highlights the strange and unusual similarities within the creation of what might on the surface seem very different products.

From the words common to both -- frames, print, pattern, layers, colour, technology, narrative, industry, leisure -- to the software used, and the history of the technologies, there are surprising resonances. The word "Luddite" orginally denoted textile-workers who protested against unfair treatment in the early 19th century. It has become a term to describe all those opposed to progress in computer and machine technologies. And most recently the fall of the dot.coms has mirrored the fall of the textile industries.

Technical requirements: Current web browser with Java, Realplayer or similar.

Start/Restart instructions: Load URL to start. Reload URL to restart.