Valentina Achilli, E’ colpa tua se non mangio più, 2024, cotton yarn, acrylic colors on linen canvas, 90x70 cm.

Working at the boundary between visual art and poetry, Valentina Achilli draws on fibrous materials like paper or fabric to address issues such as the fragility and value of language in psychoanalytic, anthropological, and sociological contexts.
What is expressed through the repetitive and mechanical action of embroidery is both familiar and foreign: words, phrases and verses left by strangers in urban settings. The traces are collected and recomposed on the canvas in a constant oscillation between readable word and a-semantic sign. 
The gesture of hand embroidery makes slow, meditative, and permanent a writing that would otherwise be fast, transient and ephemeral.

Valentina Achilli (Piacenza, 1997) lives and works in Milan. In 2020 she graduated in Painting at the Brera Academy of Fine Arts, where she decided to continue with the two-year specialisation course Theory and Practice of Art Therapy.

Anna Resei is a designer based in Hamburg, Germany. Within her work she seamlessly melds abstract and functional interior objects with a recognizable visual language that is inspired both by digital representation and tangible physical materiality. Through her distinctive use of patterns and colour she continually draws inspiration from classical textile techniques always having a conscious material choice in mind.

Since graduating from Design Academy Eindhoven, Netherlands in 2021, Anna continued her solo practice and received several prestigious awards and scholarships.
Starting off by being a finalist of the 15th Design Parade Hyères, her artistic journey lead to renowned exhibitions like the Venice Design Biennial, Milan Design Week, Dutch Design Week, MAKK Cologne, Contextile Biennial and more.
In 2022/23 she has been designer in residence at the Museum of Applied Art & Design in Hamburg, Germany which culminated in her first solo exhibition and the acquisition of work into the permanent collection of the museum.

New Resources Available on the Refashionized Website: The Trainer's Corner is Live!

We are excited to announce the launch of the Trainer’s Corner on the Refashionized website! You can now download all project materials for free, including: the History of Fashion and Sustainable Fashion Booklets, the Sustainable Fashion Glossary, the Practical Toolkit.

These resources are designed to support professionals and enthusiasts in the fashion industry, providing valuable insights into sustainability and upcycling practices.

Additionally, from November 11-13, we hosted the final project meeting and Learning Activities at Lottozero, bringing together trainers, designers, professors, youth workers, and artists from the Refashionized consortium. During these three days in Prato, participants had the chance to learn upcycling techniques, dive deeper into using the Practical Toolkit, and gain practical skills to share with their communities and fellow trainers. It was truly an enriching and inspiring experience for all involved!

Read the full newsletter here and keep up to date on Refashionized social media: Facebook  , Instagram and TikTok .

We are looking forward to hear your feedback on the Trainer’s Corner materials!

We are thrilled to announce the final exhibition of the On Weaving series, opening next Thursday, November 21 at 6.30 p.m., with a solo show dedicated to Graziella Guidotti (Castell’Azzara, GR, 1936), a key character in the Italian hand-weaving scene.

The exhibition, curated by Alessandra Tempesti, focuses on a series of precious brocades hand-woven by Graziella Guidotti over a 10-year period that tell the story of the Castellana di Vergy, the subject of a 13th-century French chivalric poem that was later translated into Florentine rhymes in La Dama del verziere. This is the only figurative series in Graziella Guidotti's vast, predominantly abstract textile production in which the decorative motifs arise directly from the weave structures, often derived from a reinterpretation of the of the textile structures of Renaissance silks and popular fabrics defined as ‘paesani’ to which the weaver has dedicated countless studies and research, considering them an inexhaustible source of inspiration.
On display are a series of small studies, created with an original weaving technique pioneered and developed by Graziella Guidotti based on the paesani fabrics and progressing to industrial production on electronic looms. The weave has been copyrighted, testifying to her extraordinary inventive ability that throughout her life has led her to study and hybridise the ancient and traditional with the modern, manual weaving with design for industry.

The exhibition is meant to be a tribute to an exceptional artist-designer and craftswoman, to this day one of the greatest experts in manual weaving, who dedicated her entire life to the study of textile culture in Italy, to research and to teaching, passing on this knowledge to new generations.

With the support of Toscanaincontemporanea 2024

21st November h 18.30: exhibition opening
22 November 2024 - 16 February 2025:
Mon-Fri 10-18 / Sat-Sun by appointment

Graziella Guidotti, La dama del verziere, detail, 2000-2012, 24 brocade handwoven fabrics, mixed yarns.

Marcos Kueh is a Malaysian textile artist currently based in The Netherlands, with a professional background in Graphic Design and a BA in Textile from the Royal Academy of Art (KABK) in The Haag. Growing up in a post-colonial developing country, he has always been fascinated by his Malay identity and how it is perceived in the West. The ancestors of his land encapsulated their dreams, myths and hopes in their textiles, as a visual language before the arrival of the alphabet. Many of Kueh’s textile works are explorations and speculations of the traditional meaning of the craftsmanship in the contemporary context, searching for new narratives to navigate the globalized word.
His practice has motivated him to work and learn about both the traditional weaving techniques back in Borneo, introducing indigenous weaving sequences such as the Songket weaving techniques into the modern industry.
His work is represented by Galerie Ron Mandos.

Marcos Kueh is the winner of the Open Call for the TC2 residency, promoted by Lottozero within the “On Weaving” cultural program, supported by Toscanaincontemporanea 2024.

Amsterdam-based visual artist Liselore Frowijn’s practice revolves around installations and sculptures made from textiles covering objects, driven by the notion of disguise as an act of revolt.
As a transdisciplinary artist, Frowijn layers projects across multiple disciplines. In her practice, she employs collage techniques to dimension and document her work in analogue and digital formats, weaving elements from her extensive research to propose imaginary future narratives inspired by (eco)feminist thinkers.

Frowijn graduated cum laude from ArtEZ University of the Arts with a bachelor's in fashion design in 2013. After winning the Dutch Couture Award and the Prix Chloé at the Festival de la Mode et Photography in Hyères she founded Studio Frowijn in 2014. Over the years, while working on her brand and textile collections for the fashion industry, she increasingly engaged in various interdisciplinary projects, including exhibitions, collaborations with artists on films, teaching, and workshops with children. Since 2018, she has shifted her focus from creating collections to becoming a more sustainable maker, dedicating herself to visual arts. In 2023 Frowijn achieved an Art History master's, with a thesis on ecofeminism at the University of Amsterdam in 2023.

Liselore Frowijn

We have some pretty amazing news today!
After being part of the Creative Flip Learning Labs project for two years in a row, Lottozero is happy to announce that this year we will be the LLabs Sustainable Fashion experts!
We have the honor to help launch the Open Call for Learning Labs on Sustainable Textiles & Fashion...
Are you ready to inspire the next generation of creatives and lead the way in sustainable fashion education?
Do you want to make a lasting impact in the Cultural and Creative Sectors by teaching students essential skills and values?
This edition Creative FLIP looking for Cultural & Creative Professionals to co-create innovative projects with schools, introducing students to sustainable fashion, creative professions, IPR and skills in the field of sustainable fashion.
In exchange, you’ll receive financial support to bring your ideas to life as well as the possibility to be part of the Creative FLIP community.

Find out more here

Deadline: 24 October 2024 (23:59 CET)

HOW can art contribute to WELL-BEING, to the BEING well that is the essential basis of every social relationship, to DOING well (also through ‘welfare’ policies) and to WELCOMING the more or less proximal, in the sense of an authentic, empathic, inclusive openness and welcome that shares the sense of belonging of being ALL part of the same ALL?

We are excited to join the 4th edition of Bolzano Art Weeks! 

Our contribution to this year's topic is a talk on textile culture in contemporary art, with our own curator Alessandra Tempesti in dialogue with curator and researcher Camilla Mozzato.
The event will be the occasion to present “Textile Culture Backup”, a new publication that collects the digital exhibitions curated by Textile Culture Net in the first four years of its existence (2020-2024).
The book is designed by Studio MUT. 

At Parkhotel Mondschein, Via Piave 15 - Bolzano
October 5, 5 pm

Like every year, we welcome the arrival of autumn with new ideas and new projects!
On Saturday, September 21, Lottozero reopens the doors of its textile workshop for the long-awaited LOTTOZERO OPEN DAY. Come discover amazing materials and innovation through hands-on, creative experiences.

What's in store for you: an immersive day in Lottozero's workshop from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., where you can:

Discover our state-of-the-art textile machinery with live demonstrations by our team of experts.
Experiment with fabrics, colors and techniques such as embroidery, screen printing and weaving.
Be inspired by meetings with other makers and professionals from different fields.

Finally, you will have the opportunity to meet our current artist-in-residence, Carmen Schabracq, a Dutch visual artist who works with sculpture, painting, textiles, performance and costume.

We are excited to share our space of experimentation and inspiration, this is the perfect opportunity to experience the world of textile design and production up close.

Access is free
Don't miss it, we are waiting for you!

After four year of incredibly intense curatorial and research with our international partners Central Museum of Textiles in Łódź (Poland), TextielMuseum in Tilburg (Netherlands), and CHAT (Centre for Heritage, Arts and Textile) in Hong Kong we are proud to finally present TEXTILE CULTURE BACKUP.

This extraordinary 400-page publication, designed by award-winning graphic design Studio Mut, features 18 curators from around the world and more than 110 artists. It documents the online exhibitions held by Textile Culture Net, an international network of four cutting-edge institutions working on the bridge between textile art and design, fashion, urban regeneration, and sustainability, from 2020 to the present.
This game changing book captures the power and evolution of contemporary textile art, tackling important and current topics and is a physical archive of stories, cultures, and materials woven into powerful narratives.

TEXTILE CULTURE BACKUP will premiere on September 12 at 6:00 PM at Lottozero in Prato, Italy, in the presence of the chief curators from all four network partner institutions, as well as some of the curators involved.
The book will be available for purchase at the event and at the Lottozero online store.

Textile Culture Net is co-funded by the European Union. Through the Creative Europe 2023/2024 program Grant Agreement n°101099994

Claudia Losi, Oltre il giardino, 2022, detail, cotton Jacquard fabric, 1895 x 146 cm. Photo: Ela Bialkowska - OKNO studio

Join us next Thursday, September 12th, for the opening of Oltre il giardino, a solo exhibition by Claudia Losi, curated by Leonardo Regano and part of our On Weaving cultural program.

Oltre il giardino (Beyond the garden) explores the complex relationship between human beings, the environment and the language with which we communicate, questioning what can be understood as ‘natural place’ and bringing out micro and macro-narratives. The artist works on the ambiguity of the concept of landscape, on the perception of the environment around us, and on the blurred boundary between natural and man-made context.

The exhibition stems from Being There. Oltre il giardino, a two-year project curated by Leonardo Regano and premiered in June 2022 at the Rocca Roveresca in Senigallia, with the support of the Italian Council (IX edition, 2020).
In a site-specific installation for the Lottozero Kunsthalle are on display a Jacquard woven fabric of over 15 m and a textile book, realized with the consultancy of Lottozero and now part of the collection of the Rocca Roveresca di Senigallia.

Claudia Losi's research focuses on the relationship between man and landscape and draws inspiration from nature, science, history and anthropology. Her works have a narrative dimension that often makes use of textile, writing and language, creating dynamics of relationship and community participation.

With the support of Toscanaincontemporanea 2024
In collaboration with: Rocca Roveresca di Senigallia - Palazzao Ducale di Urbino_Direzione Regionale Musei Marche

12th September h 19: exhibition opening
13 September - 10 November 2024:
Mon-Fri 10-18 / Sat-Sun by appointment

Exciting news! The position of Office Coordinator is open at Lottozero. Will you be joining our team?

Check out all the details below, but please note that only candidates who meet the following criteria will be considered: a perfect command of both Italian and English, a strong passion for the textile industry, and either current residence in Prato or a willingness to relocate.

What Will Our Office Coordinator Do?

-       Answer phone calls and respond to standard emails regarding visits, internships, residencies, and other inquiries.

-       Welcome scheduled and unscheduled guests for workshop tours.

-       Handle daily administrative tasks, including managing supplier relations, procurement, and maintenance.

-       Manage shipment logistics, including the pickup and delivery of materials.

-       Oversee the team calendar and schedule appointments for visits, calls, meetings, and workshops.

-       Manage the logistical aspects of the residency program (e.g., email communications, calendar management, quotations).

-       Prepare standard quotations.

-       Organize the library, materials library, and digital archives.

Who We Are Looking For:

A person with a working style that is:

-        Precise and organized

-        Detail-oriented

-        Autonomous and proactive

Qualifications:

-        Must reside in Prato or be willing to relocate.

-        Work experience in the textile district is a plus.

-        Excellent spoken and written proficiency in both Italian and English.

-        Valid driver's license.

-        Strong communication skills and the ability to effectively engage with our community.

-        Demonstrates autonomy, resourcefulness, problem-solving skills, and flexibility.

-        A genuine passion for the textile industry and related activities.

What We Offer:

-       The opportunity to work with a dynamic and diverse team, welcoming guests and audiences from around the world.

-       A flexible position that provides significant decision-making autonomy and personal responsibility.

-       A beautiful and stimulating work environment.

-       Opportunities for growth and professional development.

-       Involvement in engaging and interesting projects.

Important Details:

-      Position Level: This is a junior position, ideal for individuals looking to start or grow their careers.

-      Contract Type: 30to 32-hour fixed-term contract with a strong potential for indefinite renewal based on performance. (CCNL terziario 3 livello)

How to Apply:

To apply, please complete the application survey. Make sure to upload a motivation letter explaining why you are specifically interested in working with us, along with your CV and any questions you might have.

Join us next Thursday September 12th for an exciting event at Lottozero.

The evening begins at 6 p.m. with the launch of “Textile Culture Backup,” a book that compiles the digital exhibitions curated by Textile Culture Net over the past four years. Published by Textile Culture Net and designed by Studio MUT, the book is co-funded by Creative Europe.

Following the presentation, we will open the solo exhibition “Oltre il giardino” by Claudia Losi, curated by Leonardo Regano in collaboration with Rocca Roveresca di Senigallia. This exhibition is part of our “On Weaving” cultural program, co-funded by Toscanaincontemporanea2024, which explores the intersection of weaving and contemporary art.

Expect an inspiring evening, drinks and refreshments will be served.

We look forward to seeing you!!

Carmen Schabracq (1988, Amsterdam) is a visual artist and works in various media including sculpture, textile, painting, performances and costumes. The mask is a recurring object and theme within her work, with which she explores the layered nature of human identity and her own identity as a -female- artist and mother. She collects fragments of stories and characters from various myths, (folk) art history and her own experiences and uses them to create a visual story.
During her residency at Lottozero Carmen wants to turn her research on her Jewish ancestors and family name SCHABRACQ - which means horse or saddle blanket - into a body of textile works connected to the horse.

Carmen was born in Amsterdam where she lives, works and graduated in visual arts at the Gerrit Rietveld Academy (2012), after a year of painting at the Accademia di Belle Arti in Rome. She obtained her Masters degree in theater costume design at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp (2015).

Carmen Schabracq, I am a mother now

We are very happy to announce that Lottozero has it’s very own, brand new, Domestika class online!

We’ve been working on the topic of archives since the very beginnings of Lottozero and now we are excited to share our ideas and researches with you in this online class:

CREATIVE TEXTILE DESIGN WITH HISTORICAL MATERIALS is a class you can take to explore creative methods to use archival materials as starting point for your new personal projects in textile and fashion design, but also art and much, much more.

Check it out here and enjoy some creative idea hunting on archives with us!

HAVE FUN!

As you know in spring of 2024 Lottozero became the first organization in Italy to make the ultra-modern TC2 loom available to the public, this has inspired us to create the cultural program ON WEAVING.

Now, thanks to the support of the region of Tuscany with Toscanaincontemporanea 2024, we are thrilled to announce an OPEN CALL for designers and artists, offering a member of our community the opportunity to work with the TC2 for free.

What does this residency provide?

• 24h access and a personal desk at the Lottozero's shared, co-working space and laboratory in Prato

• 24h access to a TC2 digital jacquard loom (3W, 110 cm weaving width warped at 12 ends per cm, 1320 ends in total, 100% cotton in natural color)

• access to other weaving, spinning and knitting equipment in the lab, access to traditional and novel weaving materials

• mentorship, logistical and technical support from the Lottozero staff to insure the successful realization of the project

• Participation in company and museum visits

The residency scheduling is flexible but should be in total 1 working week and should take place between October and November 2024  (please indicate your preference in the application) in Prato, Italy. The resident will receive 400 Euros as expense reimbursement and a materials budget of 200 Euros**. The artist will be responsible for locating housing and travel to and from Lottozero.

** materials budget does not go directly to artist, but is to be spent by the lab during the residency on supplies determined by the artist.

While we can provide instructions for getting started on the TC2 and if needed a prior consultancy on the digital file preparation, the artist is ultimately responsible for the design and the execution of the final piece.

A basic knowledge of hand weaving is required.

TO APPLY:

Please submit a portfolio with motivation letter outlining your goals for the residency and any past or current projects relating to textiles; your portfolio or website/instagram to opencall@lottozero.org

Applications are due September 1st, 2024

Applicants will be notified by September 18th, 2024

Welcome designer Isabel Wolfs, who will be at Lottozero for a one month residency!

Isabel Wolfs is a designer who specializes in sportswear, streetwear, and footwear. Her driving force is a fascination with materials and techniques. Trained as both a maker and designer, her creative process begins with researching a product's technical details, while remaining highly conscious of its impact. Coupled with her love for nature and sports, her approach to design prioritizes quality and sustainability.

These personal interests are reflected in Studio Wolfs, which explores experimental research design that challenges our perceptions of products. The studio focuses on product design through material research and craftsmanship, with a particular dedication to upcycling and sustainability. Studio Wolfs aims to highlight the importance of reconsidering how we make and value products, promoting a long-term perspective over a short-term one, by presenting materials and elements in a different light.

Fresh updates from Refashionized project!

Our team is is currently finalizing the Trainer’s Corner which encompasses resources and training materials for youth workers and trainers to support them in conducting training session with young people on two themes: History of Fashion and Sustainable Fashion.

Last month we met the other partners in Valencia for the second Transnational Meeting hosted by UPV Politecnica de Valencia. Here we had the chance to discuss the project’s progress, with a special focus on the Trainer’s Corner.

Read the full newsletter here and keep up to date on Refashionized social media: Facebook  , Instagram and TikTok .

We are looking forward to share the first results of the project with you!