Please sign up in the front office ECH 1206.
Traditional handmade Japanese paper has enormous creative potential for artists. Sigrid Blohm will present an overview of how washi is made, and then illustrate its unique properties using images and actual samples of artwork created by a variety of artists. A quick demo of simple but essential techniques (cutting, tearing, handling damp or wet sheets etc.) will be followed by a hands-on workshop on the use of konnyaku starch with Japanese paper. Konnyaku is derived from the tuberous Devil’s Tongue root, is non-toxic, requires no cooking and is easy to use. It has been used in Japan for centuries to make kamiko paper clothing, and to strengthen washi rendering it water resistant for use in place of cloth or leather in book covers, boxes, cushions and much more.