For Qianwen Yu, a Chicago-based interdisciplinary artist and independent animator, woven textures and musical compositions are interconnected.
Yu said her work uses weaving drafts to produce symphonies.
She is currently showcasing three works as part of her solo exhibition Woven Rhythms at the Evanston Art Center. The exhibit is open to the public from Nov. 9 to Dec. 12 at no charge.
Yu draws from her background in animation, architecture and drawing. She said she was inspired to create translations between weaving and music when she learned to use the loom. She noticed a striking similarity between how weavers interact with the loom and how pianists interact with the keyboard, an instrument she learned as a child.
“I’m not making the music or creating the weaving design,” Yu said. “It’s more about listening to the woven fabric and seeing (how computers interpret) the music patterns in the weaving, and also to show the visual patterns of the musical score itself.”
Each of her works explores a relationship weaving has with other art mediums.
For instance, “The Rhythm Behind the City” incorporates photographs of Chicago and fabric that Yu animated using stop-motion techniques. “Woven Symphony” translates weaving into music, while her third work, “Weaving Philip Glass’s Opening,” translates composer Philip Glass’ music into woven textures through technology.
During the pandemic, Yu said she shifted her project to a more digital format, a way for her to redefine weaving as an arts concept. Yu added that many consider weaving a physical art medium, but it can be anything.
“Even a TV, as it has those warps and signals and can be weaving,” Yu said. “It doesn’t have to be a very physical object (to be) considered as weaving. I hope that people can have a new perspective when seeing these mediums again.”
Yu’s interdisciplinary approach stemmed from her interest in exploring art from new perspectives and the ways different mediums collaborate. Having practiced art for many years, Yu said it allows her to show the world what she cares about.
Evanston Art Center’s President and CEO Paula Danoff (Kellogg ’82) said that when the center’s exhibition committee came across Yu’s application a few years ago, the vote was unanimously in her favor.
“It’s such a fascinating look at how those mediums are combined,” Danoff said. “We want to try to show work that is representative of our time. I feel like it’s something edgy. It appeals to a wide range of audiences.”
The exhibit also featured a written piece by Yu, which provided viewers with context for her research and work.
Weinberg sophomore Ady Lam said the report – and exhibit in general – offered her a fresh perspective on weaving’s intertwined connection between music and technology.
“I literally had no idea how weaving had a direct impact on music technology,” Lam said. “I (also) thought the layout of the (art center) was cool, and I was really interested in how they had painting lessons available or spaces to paint. I would like to go back there.”
Yu has presented her work at other art centers and symposiums in the Chicago area this year. Her project was last shown at the Ignition Project Space in Humboldt Park.
In the future, Yu said she would like to continue exploring the intersection between weaving and music in addition to other project ideas.
“For the next style of these projects, I’m researching a more Eastern musical scale,” Yu said. “I’ve also been thinking that it could be a research project to explore how those who cannot see can listen to art in museums and art galleries through a different sensory experience.”
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