Overview
The Curriculum
Open studio Fall 2024 Session runs Sunday, October 20, 2024 thru Friday, November 1, 2024 in Kathmandu, Nepal. In the style of a conservatory of weaving, ‘Open Studio’ will immerse you into the production environment of 21st century couture carpet making. Working individually and collaboratively with other creatives as well as with experienced weavers and the full breadth of technicians who craft carpets, your time will be filled with weekday seminars, field trips, presentations by outside experts, cultural excursions, group discussion, and hands-on practical experience with the skills required to craft carpets.
The Studio Itself
The studio itself, based within the Karnor Carpet manufactory, houses not only an extensive library of inspirational weaving samples but also individual workstations, a meeting and presentation area, and sampling looms. The latter is where your 45cm x 45cm maquettes - samples if you will - will be woven allowing you unprecedented observation of the most dramatic portion of the process. It is our hope that you will come away with perspective altering insight which will positively influence your work for years to come.
Creating Your Maquettes
Your participation in ‘Open Studio’ includes the making of three maquettes sized at 45cm x 45cm (18in x 18in) each. The first will begin weaving prior to your arrival in Kathmandu so that early in the studio experience you will cut it from the loom and then follow it through all the steps of finishing.
Your second maquette will be woven in its entirety during the studio allowing you to participate in the warping of the loom as well as trying your hand at weaving your own design - a call back if you will to the storied traditions of weaver/artists.
Your final maquette offers many possibilities. The design can be something created during the studio experience itself, or it can be a continuation of a theme. Regardless of the design origin, the final maquette will be (re)coloured during the studio using yarns from the initial pieces, yarn dyed during the studio, or surplus yarn from the warehouse; all as part of the sustainability aspect of the curriculum.
What's Included in The Program
The USD $2500 program fee covers the following:
- Studio space and facilities access, all training sessions and instructors’ fees, and weaver and supporting staff fees.
- Daily shuttle to and from the hotel to Karnor Carpets.
- All materials and production for three maquettes (samples).
- Daily lunch, snacks, coffee, tea and refreshments during ‘Open Studio’ (M-F).
- Opening and closing group dinners.
- All transportation, site entrance fees, and tour guide for the weekend cultural tour.
Airfare, accommodations, visa fees, and all other meals and expenses are the responsibility of the participant.
Open Studio accommodations add-on package
A separate accommodations package add-on adds turnkey efficiency to your ‘Open Studio’ experience. The $500 (USD) accommodations package add-on includes:
- Three Star Accomodations at the Pema Boutique or Atisha Hotel in Boudha
- Daily Breakfast at the hotel.
- Airport transfers upon arrival and departure.
- Arrival on Saturday, October 18, 2024 through departure on Saturday, November 2, 2024. Additional nights can be arranged at the discounted rate if required.