Group textile work Forest floor

The authors focus on topics such as sustainability, coexistence, solidarity, and active, positive action in the world. These topics are also intertwined with forest soils. They represent an extremely complex and perfectly functioning system which, together with the forest, forms one of the richest ecosystems on Earth. Forest soil represents a strong foundation, the basis for all life. The diversity of growth and dead vegetation knows no boundaries, flowing into an endless cycle of life. This large textile work raises questions about our values and way of life. It provides a space for calm, inviting visitors to listen to nature and themselves. To take a moment and let the work touch them.

Four smaller ecosystems are connected in “Forest Floor,” the original textile works of each individual designer. Silva Horvat “Forest Path,” hand weaving technique, Anja Musek “Hidden-Revealed,” wet felting technique, Lili Panjtar’s “Leaves,” using the technique of dyeing and printing textiles with plants, and Nina Vastl Štefe’s “Traces,” using the technique of hand sewing, quilting, and embroidery, have recreated diverse forest floors through their own perception and experience of nature. The textile installation invites visitors to enter and relive the story told by the authors through their personal experience.

Anja Musek
HIDDEN–REVEALED

series of felted cushions
leaves, 85×85 cm wool felt, handmade from combed sheep’s wool, partially felted over linen fabric; natural filling

rock, 85×85 cm wool felt, handmade from combed sheep’s wool with stones; natural filling

roots, 85×85 cm wool padding, handmade from combed sheep’s wool, partially padded over linen fabric; natural filling

“We know more about the movement of celestial bodies than we do about the ground beneath us.” (Leonardo Da Vinci)

Forest soil is hidden from most human eyes, an unknown part of the forest. Yet it is extremely important for the functioning of the entire system on Earth.
When we walk on forest soil, we only notice the surface—leaves, stones, roots… but this is only a fraction of the forest soil, a bridge between the above-ground vegetation and the earth beneath it, where the greatest magic happens.
#SaveSoil #RešimoPrst

Lili Panjtar
LEAVES

series of linen cushions
blackberry bush, 80×80 cm linen fabric, hand-printed with blackberry, iron, down filling

rosehip at the edge of the forest, 50×50 cm linen fabric, hand-printed with rosehip leaves, iron, down filling

blackberry bush, 50×50 cm linen fabric, hand-dyed with blackberry, down filling

I walk through the forest, feel the tranquility, smell nature… I am grateful.
I love the rustling of fallen leaves, I admire the thorny blackberry bushes that are never completely bare… I pick a twig or two… and imprint my memories. Forever.

Silva Horvat
GOZDNA POT

ročno tkani volneni blazini
gozdna pot, 130×130 cm volnena preja, ročno tkanje, polnilo iz puha

gozdna pot, 50×130 cm volnena preja, ročno tkanje, polnilo iz puha 

Gozdna pot nas popelje v čudežni svet narave, ki nas navdihuje, sprošča, nadgradi s svojim bogastvom in izpolni naša življenja. Veliko je gozdnih poti, ki puščajo svojo sled, v nas pa prebudijo neizmerno radost, spokojnost in hvaležnost.

Nina Vastl Štefe
TRACES

series of cushions
snail, deer, and fallen branch, 100×100 cm, various textile techniques on reused woolen knit fabric, down filling

dry grass at the edge of the forest, 50×100 cm, wool threads on reused wool fabric, down filling

mosses, 50×50 cm, sewing, crocheting and knotting wool threads, down filling

blueberries, 50×50 cm, knitting and knotted woolen threads, down filling

decayed leaves, 50×50 cm, knotted woolen threads on reused fabric, down filling

I observe everyday scenes on the forest floor, snail slime, deer droppings, the bright and fresh green color of moss, decaying leaves, fallen branches covered with moss, plains of freshly sprouted blueberries and dry grass at the edge of the forest… Everything is in constant change and transformation, organic material that decomposes to give new life or is already in full growth.

Photo Denys Shadro