Fulbrighter Zahra Tyebjee shares with us her research project, her creative process, and how inspiring her experience in the Azores has been:
«Carrying out my Fulbright Research Grant project in the Azores Archipelago translated into a life experience. Being immersed in the culture of the Azores allowed me to experience what daily life is like on São Miguel Island. It also made me more cognizant of the cultural values that shaped my upbringing in the United States.
Having eight months in the Azores allowed me to witness the seasonal harvesting cycle of locally grown willow used for basket making. Basketry in the Azores is a lengthy process.
(The new season of willow starting to grow in the spring in Antigo Pomar das Caldeiras da Lagoa das Furnas)
The artisans grow their own plants, and everything is done by hand. I feel incredibly
fortunate to have experienced firsthand a local craft system that is rooted in seasonality and grounded in materials that remain traceable to their original source. I will carry forth these learnings and take into consideration how they might inform my own contemporary material practice.
(On a visit to Centro Experimental de Agricultura das Sete Cidades to learn about willow. Photo credit: Mariana Lopes)
During the last few months of my Fulbright Research Grant, I continued my research with Hedychium gardnerianum (Kahili Ginger), an invasive species found across the Azores Archipelago which has optimal fiber content. To wrap up my research I held a workshop, Da planta ao cesto: extração de fibra de conteira (From plant to basket: Kahili Ginger fiber extraction).
(Steps of extracting fibers and leaf sheaths from the Kahili Ginger plant.)
(A bundle of fibers extracted from the Kahili Ginger plant.)
The workshop was hosted by vaga: space for art and knowledge, the studio space of my affiliate Anda&Fala – Cultural Association. During the workshop I taught the methods for extracting leaf sheaths and fibers from the plant (which I learnt from material scientist Telmo Eleuterio), and I shared my samples and findings on the future potential of the plant’s application as a material for basketry and textiles.
(During my workshop, Da planta ao cesto: extração de fibra de conteira.)
I loved exploring the natural environment across the Archipelago, visiting seven of nine islands. Some highlights include walking around the rim of the caldeira on Faial Island and descending into the caldeira on Corvo Island. On my last hike on São Miguel Island, I finally made it to Vale das Lombadas, a lush valley with a natural sparkling water faucet. I thoroughly enjoyed discovering the natural elements found in the volcanic landscape of the Azores.
(One of the many hikes I experienced in the Azores Archipelago, this one took me along the rim of Caldeira do Faial)
I am deeply grateful to the Fulbright Portugal Commission for supporting my grant. Muito obrigada!»
– Thank you, dear Zahra, we are excited to see all that you will accomplish in the future.