Friday, September 14
12:15 pm, Rotunda
Free to Winterthur members, Included with any admission ticket
Botanist-chemist Michel Garcia takes us on a wondrous journey, sharing his keen insight as one of the leading natural dye experts of the world. Michel’s approachable instruction demystifies the natural dyeing process; he offers a rare glimpse into what makes plants tick.
In taking a closer look at historical 18th and 19th century printed European textiles, Michel will talk about the techniques used to produce them and provide updated versions of traditional dye methods – once laborious and polluting – now revised into simpler, safer modern recipes sensitive to issues of sustainability.
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- Michel Garcia in his studio in Lauris, Provence, France. Video still from Natural Dye Workshop with Michel Garcia, Colors of Provence Using Sustainable Methods, 2011
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- Michel Garcia in his studio in Lauris, Provence, France. Video still from Natural Dye Workshop with Michel Garcia, Colors of Provence Using Sustainable Methods, 2011
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- Michel Garcia and Yoshiko Iwamoto Wada in Lauris, Provence, France. Video still from Natural Dye Workshop with Michel Garcia, Colors of Provence Using Sustainable Methods, 2011
Michael Garcia will present research as a botanist, chemist, dyer, and naturalist. He has been working closely with Yoshiko Iwamoto Wada (www.yoshikowada.com) an artist, author, curator, and textile researcher who has long been an exponent of traditional and sustainable practices in fashion and textile production. Yoshiko and Michael have recently produced a DVD titled, “Natural Dye Workshop with Michael Garcia Colors of Provence Using Sustainable Methods” and are currently working on a second and third DVD as well. Together they travel throughout the world giving lectures, workshops, and participate in conferences to build greater insight into the world of fiber, textiles, and natural dyes.
Michael is the founder of Couleur Garance (1998) in Lauris, France, and established Le Jardin Conservatoire de PlantesTinctoriales (Botanical Garden of Dye Plants) in 2000 as a horticultural resource for chemists, natural dye researchers, and botanists. He has been instrumental in revitalizing the natural dye scene in France and abroad. Michel’s efforts have been pivotal to cultivating a greater understanding of natural dye history and teaching more sustainable adaptations for current practice.
