Ada Lovelace and Jacquard weaving
When Ada meets Penelope and other Weavers in Cyberspace, 2017,
Digital hand Jacquard Weaving; 23” high x 93” long; cotton and mixed fibers;
from the left: Ada Lovelace, Ruth, Cyborg, Penelope and Ariadne
Digital hand Jacquard Weaving; 23” high x 93” long; cotton and mixed fibers;
from the left: Ada Lovelace, Ruth, Cyborg, Penelope and Ariadne
Ada chair 1999
Ada Lovelace: Queen of the Engines, 48 x 40" 1999
"The Fates still weave with Ada's help in Cyberspace on ancient looms and new computers- Cyborgs weave transluscent thught into sturdy cloth and Nature weaves a digital dream into the text and Philomela has her own website now", 2015, 28 x 24"
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My interest in Jacquard weaving started in 1997 with Ada Lovelace’s quote from 1843: “The Analytical Engine weaves algebraic patterns just as the Jacquard loom weaves flowers and leaves”. Ada was educated in mathematics and collaborated with Charles Babbage, who invented the 'Analytical Engine' in 1843. It never quite worked, but contained the basic operating principles used by computers. Ada translated a text by Manabrea and her notes took up more space than the original text. It contains the above quote. She discusses the process, derived from the Jacquard loom, which uses punched cards to store and process complex information as zeros and ones.
Ada influenced my interests in science, art and floral patterns. The Jacquard loom was central to the industrial development in 1804 (supported by Napoleon) and represents art made possible through science. It enabled Europe to mass-produce elaborate woven floral designs and to compete with textiles from Asia. Textiles played an important economic role during the industrial revolution and still today and reflect cultural exchanges, colonial relationships, trade and labour issues. 
Ada Lovelace, computer assisted Hand-woven Jacquard,
78 x 40, 1999, |