The red thread of Rima Day’s story

ART

The red thread of Rima Day’s story

SHARE THE ARTICLE

RIMA DAY is a talented fiber artist who came to conquer the United States from «the land of the rising sun». With her background in fashion design, she found her own way to express herself through art. Rima uses needle and thread, as a writer uses his pen and ink, to create artwork that is inspired by nature and the human body.

Your series of works «fabric books and letters» are very eye-catching with their beauty. Where did the idea of using red thread come from?

I was making three dimensional anatomical hearts before I started to use red thread. I guess the departure from heart to blood came naturally. Then I realized that red thread carries so many meanings for me.

Since I have been sewing for many years, thread to me has always been the element which connects the individual parts. Thread symbolizes connections. Also, red, the color of blood, which to me embodies vitality, love and life. It also symbolizes human connection in the Japanese culture that I was raised in. Furthermore, the red color was often used to ward off evil spirits in Japan.

What are the stories in your books and letters about?

I think lots of them are about strong feelings that cannot be contained on the pages. They might be negative or positive feelings, I leave it to the viewer to imagine.

Could you expand on the connection between the human body and nature in your work?

I am fascinated with the similarities between them. They both are supported by the similar structure that absorbs and distributes nourishment. Tree branches, roots, or blood vessels split into thinner appendages from thicker parts. I find those shapes beautiful. Therefore I make the thread matrix that looks like them. By doing so, I feel like I can draw energy from nature and it also reminds me of our vitality and fragility. It is my attempt to connect with nature.

Through your work is there a message that you want viewers to take away with?

I consider my thread matrix as written words. If the viewers could reflect their own stories on it, I’d be happy.

FXLB supports the idea of upcycling and you made an amazing beautiful dress in the style of the 18th century with used jeans. Can you tell us a little bit about this project?

I was working at the costume shop at Vanderbilt University. Costuming in a theatre is all about upcycling. We always take used costumes from previous shows to alter, embellish, and modify. We were trying to start an initiative for fashion sustainability on campus, and I wanted to make something that suggests the possibility of upcycling. Used jeans are very recognizable as reclaimed material and I decided to make dresses from the Rococo period that I love, because it is so opposite from what jeans represent.

The patterns were based on thorough research into fashion history of the 18th century. Then, the jeans are either taken apart at the seam or they are cut and then sewn together into a larger piece of fabric to build the dresses. I didn’t make them to be worn. I made them to suggest a possible use of used material. So I applied to some shows with these pieces, and they were shown in several galleries.

What do you think is the most fascinating aspect of upcycling?

If you look at the used piece of clothing as material, you realize there are many interesting parts – I really enjoyed working with the faded parts of jeans, The darker lines inside of seams, the marks that were made with pockets, or even the torn parts. I felt like each piece had history and I was helping to extend it.

Do you have any exciting projects coming up that you can share?

I started to make the 18th century style organza corsets with red thread matrix. It is very interesting to research the history of undergarments. I wonder how it was to live in the era – wearing corsets and living with more constricted conventions.

COMMENT

There are no reviews yet. Be the first one to write one.

Actually, this article could
be in your email

Featured materials from FOXYLAB MAGAZINE
are available in our newsletters.
Subscribe and get a dose of inspiration!

ART

Inimitable miniatures by Salavat Fidai: “My art is a challenge to myself and my abilities…”

A whole world on the tip of a pencil. The story of an artist who proved that true art has no limits and that it is never too late to start all over again.