osloom: an open source jacquard loom (DIY electromechanical thread-controlled loom)
An Open Hardware project in Chicago, IL by Margarita Benitez ·
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Update #19: October update - Nov 1st
Posted on November 1, 2010
OSLOOMers,
We are a day late with our October progress report. My apologies, but I was away at the International Textiles and Apparel Association Conference this weekend. We have a few updates since the last report. I attended the Open Hardware Summit at the end of September. It was incredibly inspiring! It was amazing to see so many folks involved in creating hardware with the mindset of open knowledge and access. The Open Hardware license that is being developed by the group that put together the conference is almost at version 1. I hope to use this license for the OSLOOM.
Additionally, a very exciting turn of events! Upon my arrival at Kent, I applied for a fellowship, the Farris Family Innovation Fellowship which if awarded was to be up to $8,000 (renewable up to a total of 3 years). The exciting turn of events is that the provost has nominated OSLOOM to receive the award. This means, not only will we have enough funding for an initial prototype, but possibly to help put together the initial kits, resources, and be able to attend events like Maker Faire where folks can see and weave on the prototype. Since it is up to a 3 year fellowship, the time and funding also allows for feedback from users and further development and refining of the initial loom model. I still have yet to receive word as to when and how the funding gets exchanged but it certainly is exciting that there is more funding to work with for testing and building.
I leave you with a few things to look forward to.
Cheers,
~margarita
Development Blog
We have setup a private development blog as an area where the team can discuss and focus solely on the development of the loom.
Website ETA: January 1, 2011
We are hoping to launch the new website with the start of the new year. We had narrowed the content management system to drupal (with a slight thought of mura and wordpress). After a few emails came in about the simplicity of wordpress, we decided to take another look at it. We have since begun development on wordpress for the site. We will have a forum and wiki portion on the site for the loom(s). Thank you all for your wonderful feedback.
It is our intention to make OSLOOM.org a repository for free loom plans in general – not just our loom(s). With the launch of the new site, we will be putting a call in for any open source loom plans folks may have. I think by putting plans online for various looms aids in not just informing the public at large that there are many different types of weaving possible, but also serves the weaving community to access such information easily. I’d like to know your thoughts on this.
Scarf rewards
I am hoping that the first set of scarves arrive in my hands by the end of this week.
In addition, a post will go online and emailed out about fabric care for the textiles and scarves. Again, my apologies for the delay on this!!!
Upcoming event: Artist Talk @ ASU on Nov 17
I will be giving an artist talk at Arizona State University on November 17th. I will post the specifics once I receive the information. If you are in the area please come by and introduce yourself.
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Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on May 2, 2010.
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7 Backers
receive a contributor / project supporting listing on osloom.org
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16 Backers
1 unique printed silk scarf (a limited edition design for kickstarter.com)
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2 Backers
1 unique rapid prototyped OSLOOM stainless steel charm
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19 Backers
1 custom unique printed silk scarf - - custom designed print pattern around your very own sent in imagery
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a knit neckwarmer in the color of your choice (alpaca & wool)
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4 Backers
1 yard of one custom designed textile print - - custom designed print pattern around your very own sent in imagery
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2 Backers
3 yards of one custom designed textile print - - custom designed print pattern around your very own sent in imagery
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1 Backer
6 yards of 2 custom designed textile prints - custom design print pattern around customer sent image
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intro to arduino workshop for 8 people at dust chicago (dustchicago.com) includes kit and electronic parts for workshop
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• Limited Reward
(3 of 3 remaining)
1 small woven jacquard tapestry color: warcheerleaders(2006) from the state of the union series (artist proof for larger weaving) (3 of these are available)
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• Limited Reward
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1 small woven jacquard tapestry color: small women big cars(2006) from the state of the union series (artist proof for larger weaving) (5 of these are available)
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1 small woven jacquard tapestry color: a day without immigrants(2006) from the state of the union series (artist proof for larger weaving) (3 of these are available)
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• Limited Reward
(10 of 10 remaining)
1 small woven jacquard tapestry color: chimp gone wild(2006) from the state of the union series (artist proof for larger weaving) (10 of these are available)
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0 Backers
• Limited Reward
(5 of 5 remaining)
soft computing workshop for 8 people at dust chicago (dustchicago.com) includes kit, electronic parts and soft materials for workshop
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0 Backers
• Limited Reward
(5 of 5 remaining)
1 large jacquard weaving b/w - state of the union series (5 one of a kind unique designs)
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• Limited Reward
(2 of 2 remaining)
1 large color woven jacquard tapestry color - state of the union series (titled:"small women, big cars" series one of two)
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0 Backers
• Limited Reward
(1 of 1 remaining)
This reward gets you the first weaving created on the OSLOOM. This weaving would be created especially for you and would either be based on an image you send in to have woven or the first piece of a series of works visualizating data that is to be created on the OSLOOM. your choice!!!
Project By
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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.
