Paper Weaving: 1989

Title: 1989
Size: 10"x10"
Material: Paper on a wooden panel, frame included

Over_Under Project
This piece is part of a series of works called the Over_Under Project, unpacking the construction of clothes and helping us to reconnect and understand that a person helped to create each garment you own. Kane used digital images pulled from the creation of her book, The Art of Paper Weaving, cut them apart, and wove them back together to create a new image.

1989
In 1989 the term fast fashion was coined. Fast fashion was used to described Zara’s garment production, enabling them to go from an idea to for sale in 15 days. At first glance, this is good. They were innovative in their approach, and increased the rate at which they could get new ideas to market. However, the increased speed set the stage for a never-ending cycle of new trends and pushed the quality of clothes into a downward spiral.

As the speed of clothing production increased, prices dropped. Cheaper clothes and an endless cycle of trends, led Americans to buy more. While your wallet may not feel the hit, the environment and people making the clothes do. In 2024, the average American purchased 64 pieces of clothing, compared to just 12 in 1980.

1989 is to prompt us to challenge the concept of fast fashion, be intentional about what we purchase, and strive to understand who, and how things are made, bringing back the connection between our things and the people who make them.

The titles of the work in the Under_Over project are intentionally vague and seemingly disconnected from the work, mirroring our relationship with clothes.