Initiated in 2018, The Linen Project investigates and works towards reactivating the economic viability of small-scale local flax cultivation and linen production in the Netherlands. It seeks to reinstate the economy as a social, ecological and cultural domain and to strengthen socio-economic patterns and behaviours rooted in a commoning approach. The inherent connections between (cultural) heritage, education, agriculture, design, crafts, and the economy are activated as well as the exchange of diverse values, knowledge, skills and competencies. The Linen Project’s current activities include the cultivation and production of organic flax and linen in the Gelderland region, the Shared Stewardship initiative, the development of a consortium for a small-scale flax spinning facility, and the facilitation of open-source knowledge exchange to create a community-supported basis for a local linen economy.
The programme includes inspiring presentations and
testimonies by Joan den Exter (Linen Project Coordinator), Karin Wijnen (independent researcher), Hans Hutting (steward
and designer), Carolien Evers (steward and knitwork designer) and Henrike
Gootjes (steward and designer).
The day was moderated by Sandra Niessen (textile
anthropologist).
In collaboration with Culture.Fashion, Theodoor Adriaans made two beautiful video
portraits of Karin Wijnen and Hans Hutting for the TLP@GFA22.'
The GFA22 is coordinated by the Research Collective for Decoloniality & Fashion with a financial support of the Stimuleringsfonds in the Netherlands.