VÖÖ | sivard

VÖÖ

7x15 meters

kihnu native sheep raw wool, cotton

2020

"Besides depicting the visible world, the purpose of art is to convey the invisible world in a way that allows us to understand it and see it. Ornaments help people receive, organise and relay necessary information. This information contains values that are not treated lightly. Ancient geometric shapes have often survived unchanged for centuries on clothing because the sacral sphere associated with the celebration of humans and their limits is conservative." - Kärt Summatavet

The 'Vöö' (Belt) is a giant seven-metre belt inspired by traditional ornamental and woven belts, which talks about the healthy attitude of Estonians towards this life and the afterlife through the medium of a performance. The main objects that inspired the work were a woven belt decorated with human figures from Tõstamaa Parish and almost 10-metre-long belts that the women of Muhu island had to spin themselves in. By linking spinning action and figures, the project became centred in movement and the human body.

A giant double-sided belt, which would be brought to life by people forming ornaments by dancing with it and inside it, becoming one with the belt, was created. By turning the belt inside-out, you can connect with the other side, but by wearing it the right way, it protects you from demise. The people who become one with the belt, however, feel good on either side.

The belt is made from the scratch using wet felting technique. Kihnu sheep wool was chosen for the main raw material and it was processed it into non-woven wool in a factory in Viljandi. In the meantime, the sheep were pet and their wool cleaned, washed, dried, scoured and carded, before felting with it. The last step required covering the seven-metre belt with hand-dyed pieces of cotton fabric. During this project that took half a year to complete, I learned that it takes time to understand your ancestors and that meditative craft is a perfect way for doing so.

In addition to long-term work, cooperation is another keyword for the piece. Eight people fit inside the belt; the piece is brought to life thanks to people moving with the belt, on the belt and in the belt. In addition to the eight dancers, at least twice as many people supported the execution of the idea. Consciously involving several people balanced out the solitary preparation work and gave the opportunity for others to interpret the work, contribute to it and co-create.

MEDIA COVERAGE

Estonian National Museum, exhibition "Dowry of the Future":

https://www.erm.ee/en/content/dowry-future-0

Estonian Fashion Festival, a finalist: https://fashionfestival.ee/designer/lisette-sivard/

Edasi.org, exhibition review: bit.ly/3LyocI5

Klassikaraadio, podcast: bit.ly/3JMLicK

Supervisors: Piret Puppart, Kärt Summatavet

Video: Eva Sepping

Lighting: Daniel Leevik, Villem Sooster

Choreographer: Daniela Privis

Musical production: Villem Sarapuu

Music: Meisterjaan – Danmoi süsteem