Inspired by neighbours
Angelika Vaneková
In Slovakia, hand processing of wool, called plstenie, is not an old technique. It is partially due to keeping, in our lands, sheep with thick wool that is not ideally suited to plstenie. If someone wants to engage seriously in the craft of processing wool by this technique, or wishes to learn about it thoroughly, they must be lucky enough to come across a renowned craftsman with rich experience in the field, willing to pass his or her knowledge onto further generations as there is no possibility to enrol in a course about this particular craft. However, the situation is today more favourable in Hungary. More than forty years ago, István Vidák and his wife Mari Nagy decided to devote their life to plstenie, engaging in varied roles of researchers, textile designers and artists. It is also thanks to their activities that this technique has become widely known in Hungary, a renowned craft in its own right. With possibilities of studying it on a two-year accredited programme at various institutions, it is an important part of culture in today’s Hungary, and graduates of this programme receive a certificate of a felt producer.
Further articles in the magazine Craft, Art, Design 04/2017:
- Making use of sheep wool in traditional way at Liptov
- Kapce (boots) from Lendak
- Wool in leading role
- Inspired by neighbours
- From history of gubárstvo (weaving and processing of woollen fabrics) in Klenovec
- Gustáv Virág – I keep motifs of Ľubietová
- Knowing the art of success
- Investigation of woollen embroidery in Slovakia
- Dni majstrov (Craftsmen Days) not only for adults
- Woolen yarn embroidery from southern Hungary
- Is there future for wool?
- Production from wool and ÚĽUV
- Old furriers would be proud of them
- A new look at textile creation
- Folded universe
- Hand-knitted
- Painted into wool
- Felt in designer’s hands
- Legend’s comeback
- Make your own folk costume