Nesle
HISTORICAL USE OF NETTLE
WHERE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE ARE WEAVED TOGETHER
“Historical Use of Stinging Nettle” is a documentation and collection project focusing on textile production from stinging nettle. The project builds on “From Plant to Garment”, under the auspices of the Norwegian Crafts Institute. Here I delve into the intangible cultural heritage associated with stinging nettle – with roots in Scandinavia and Europe. The goal is to gather knowledge about different types of nettle textiles, and how preparation, spinning methods and weaving affect quality in different traditions.
As part of the project’s sustainable and cultural perspective, I explore how the entire plant can be used, so that nothing goes to waste. The goal is to use stinging nettle in line with nature’s own cycles – from root to top.
Through this work, I hope to contribute to a broader understanding of the material’s historical significance – and perhaps also to generate the knowledge we need to develop tomorrow’s sustainable production.
The project is supported by the Arts Council of Norway.
FROM PINKY STEM TO SILKY THREAD – A CZECH NETTLE JOURNEY
Some encounters leave a mark. The encounter with CETRAT and their work with nettles burned deep into my heart;
In Václav Michalicka's hands, stiff nettle stems are transformed into strong and soft fiber, white as the clouds of the sky. It feels like meeting an old soul on a short trip from the high Carpathians – the mountain range that stretches through Eastern Europe.
Photo Cetrat / Nový Jičín_Shepherd's clothes from the Carpathians
The Center for Traditional Technology in Příbor (CETRAT) is part of the Regional Museum in Nový Jičín. They research forgotten craft traditions, primarily from the Western Carpathians and work with natural materials such as bast, bark, cotton grass, sedge, feathers, reeds, straw, human hair, horsehair, stumps, mushrooms, intestines – and fiber plants, to name a few…
Since 2012, Dr. PhD Václav Michalicka has been researching nettles. There is no living tradition of nettle fiber processing in the Carpathians today, nor are there any written records. Nevertheless, the work has borne fruit – because not only has Václav found out how the fiber was produced, but also why it was used.
I have been lucky enough to learn nettle processing from Vaclav and his team, and am eternally grateful for it!
In June you have the opportunity to experience CETRAT's work for yourself:
Bygdøy Kongsgård, Gartneriet
June 11th | 5:30 PM – 6:20 PM | Information and tickets here.
Maihaugen
June 17th | :00 PM – 3:45 PM | Information and tickets comming her
There both CETRAT and I will demonstrate different methods for working with nettle, in addition there will be various nettle lectures ranging from fiber and energy storage to fertility.
NB! Limited places, be there early if you want a place. Book your ticket here.
_JPG.jpg)
Photo CETRAT_Nettle laces