Margarita Benitez is an art + technology and fiber artist based in Chicago + Miami. She is interested in the explorations of art within the making and DIY culture. Her work is rooted in exploring underlying social issues in technology – exploring how today’s society copes with the overwhelming presence of technology, surveillance, data mining and media bombardment.
Margarita's interest in weaving occurred somewhat backwards to a traditional weaving experience. She had never woven prior to attending a boot camp workshop at The Jacquard Center with Bethanne Knudson. Her first weaving experience was with industrial Jacquard looms. She proceeded to learn more about weaving as she progressed to the TC-1 loom, a computerized floor loom, during her graduate studies at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Eventually, she finally made her way to weaving on floor and table looms but there was no comparison to the computer controlled looms. No one wants to see this project succeed more than her.
