Textile Society of America
Textile Society of America Symposium Proceedings
Date of this Version
2024
Document Type
Presentation
Citation
Textile Society of America 2024 Symposium
Shifts & Strands: Rethinking the Possibilities and Potentials of Textiles, November 12-17, 2024, a virtual event
Abstract
The Chiapas Maya Project (CMP), https://chiapasmayaproject.org/, was conceived in 2018 to create a virtual archive of the material culture of the Highland Maya of Chiapas, Mexico. The archive includes objects, images, recordings, and written records documenting a rapidly changing culture. Over time, it has become a more comprehensive project, connecting museum collections, weaving cooperatives, collectives, weavers, artists, intellectual property specialists, and academics. The partners and friends involved with the project focus on conversing and documenting - digitizing collections, if they have them.
What is the most critical information that should be searchable? How do the communities want to access the information? What information should be accessible to a wider audience to limit the misappropriation of designs? How can we build a knowledge base through dialog? How can we collaborate with differing communities to create places of memory?
How are the physical objects currently cared for? We have started discussions on what preservation techniques will be helpful and sensible. We plan to provide preventive conservation training to interested participants. We respect the diversity of practices regarding research, conservation, and safeguarding of material property. Through our network, we promote an exchange of knowledge that challenges us to resolve doubts, learn, and generate new possibilities.
Included in
Art and Materials Conservation Commons, Art Practice Commons, Fashion Design Commons, Fiber, Textile, and Weaving Arts Commons, Fine Arts Commons, Indigenous Studies Commons, Museum Studies Commons
Comments
Published by the Textiles Society of America
Copyright 2024, the author. Used by permission