ISSN 2007-001X – August, 2019
Following her exhibition, ‘Viewpoint‘, at Suki and Hugh Gallery, 38A Gibralter St. Bungendore, New South Wales, Gail Nichols made an appearance at Rug Hooking Week in Sauder Village, Ohio, USA – a virtual appearance that is, in the Global Rug Hub video, a world-wide gathering of rug hookers, textile artists and media representatives.
Kira Mead, interviewed Gail when producing the Global Rug Hub video, shown during a virtual hook-in, a new experience for many rug makers. They were surprised to find they could sign-in from wherever they were at the time; a gas-lit stone cottage by a windswept tarn on the edge of the Lake District National Park in Cumbria north of England, from high in the hills of Scotland or the Australian desert west of Alice Springs.
Members of the Global Textile Hub, Kira Mead, Jo Franco and Judi Tompkins, were represented in the USA at Sauder Village, Ohio, by their associate Susan Feller, Art Wools, West Virginia. Susan and participants of Rug Hooking Week watched on a large screen TV as viewers from around the world were connected via a video meeting link, operated by Kira Mead in Australia.
Many of the rug hookers in the audience at Sauder Village are well-known to Australian Guild members. As are those interviewed for the Global Rug Hub video or who had sent in voice/video clips and images of work from their groups.
In the case of one rug hooker from Norway, Håkon Grøn Hensvold, information was taken (with permission) from Tamara Pavich’s book “Rug Hooking Journeys – Finding the Maker in the Rug”
So much information was gathered from around the Globe, for this event, it was just not possible to use it all – however, it will be used in future Blog posts.
Unfortunately, some of those registered were unable to make a connection. While it was indicated you could register and sign-in, not only via a lap-top and PC but also on a digital device – i.e. iPad, iPhone or Android – it wasn’t clear that if using a digital device you had to first download the ZOOM app.
Next time this wont be a problem …….. and there will be a next time as the inaugural interactive event was well received and more were requested.
The live session was recorded, so if you missed it you can see both the Global Rug Hub video and the discussion that followed on Kira Mead’s YouTube channel – you’ll also see videos Kira has made about other Guild members and events. When you visit Kira’s YouTube channel look for “SUBSCRIBE”. By subscribing to Kira’s YouTube channel you’ll be advised by email when she produces new videos.
