The month of April saw a continuation of the rewarding collaborations the MINT programme offers through our workshops, amongst which the one with the HEAD (Haute école d’art et de design) Genève. Every year the MINT programme organises around 40 workshops. Hand in hand with student engagement and committed faculty, we are able to strive to make the most of each learning experience. 

On Friday 4 and Saturday 5 April, the Workshop  Textile as a Political Tool: Banners, Collective Production and Social Struggles took place with a full attendance, to everyone’s delight and with excellent results (we are happy to report everyone passed). Led by Visiting Professors Elizabeth Fischer, dress and textile historian, and Magdalena Gerber, ceramics and textile designer, both professors at HEAD . 

The workshop took place on the HEAD Campus and focused on combining practice and theory simultaneously. Students were introduced to basic, accessible ornamental techniques and a survey of significant examples charting the political and socio-economic role played by textiles from the 19th to the 21st century was presented. This enabled students to decide on the theme of a banner to create in a collective process during the entire workshop. Students equally had the opportunity to experience how manual activity can enhance cognitive capacities in the integration of theoretical knowledge and practical skills as mutually stimulating disciplines.

The Professors noted that it was a “real pleasure to see students dive into the practical work after the initial theoretical framework”. Students worked in groups of 3 and were all able to complete a banner despite initial lack of sewing skills. The students welcomed this opportunity to materially translate important social issues.