Self Assembly

Self Assembly was inspired by Sir Aaron Klug’s Nobel award-winning work exploring the results of X-ray crystallography tilting methods which led to the discovery of helical and spherical virus structures through 2D–3D Fourier transform methods and to the self assembly properties of DNA. Brock’s reflexive and methodical process-led approach to research is documented in an ‘experiments journal’. The research takes a biomimetic approach to create innovative structures and practice within digital jacquard power loom industrial weaving. The Self Assembly series of 11 pieces explores the transition from 2D flat weaving to 3D forming through ‘on-loom’ finishing. Brock uses 2D binary information combined with innovative yarn and complex weave structure interactions on an industry standard Dataweave jaquard loom. These approaches, combined with the textile ‘catalyst’ of steam and/or natural humidity, enable the works to 3D ‘self assemble’ when tension is released as they come off the loom. Through this research Brock expands the boundaries of what can be produced on digital industrial power looms.

Brock was one of five textile artists invited by the Medical Research Council to interpret the work of a Nobel Prize winning scientist, with the aim of using textiles to communicate biological discoveries to the general public through the exhibition ‘Nobel Textiles’ (St James’s Park, London) and to explore the parallels between scientific discovery and innovative design. The exhibition was accompanied by a catalogue, website, and conference (ICA London) with a panel ‘Question and Answer’ session with the artists and scientists. Three pieces from the Self Assembly series were obtained for the Crafts Council’s permanent collection.

For more information on individual pieces in the collection, see: http://ualresearchonline.arts.ac.uk/3061/; http://ualresearchonline.arts.ac.uk/5075/;http://ualresearchonline.arts.ac.uk/5076/; http://ualresearchonline.arts.ac.uk/5077/