Omnibus
A collection of woven samples inspired by the visual language of protest and the spirit of rebellion from the 1960s counterculture and Dadaism. Created as a radical alternative to public transport upholstery fabric, these designs convey a message of resistance.
omnibus
/ˈɒmnɪbəs/
early 19th century: via French from Latin, literally ‘for all’, dative plural of omnis
My degree show project is inspired by the spirit of rebellion, revolt and revolution during the 1960s counterculture and the irreverent art of the Dada movement, with its subversive reaction to the horrors of WWI. The related theme of ordinary people making a statement through subversive acts evokes the practice of street art and graffiti, as an expression of resistance, or just playful disruption for those who feel they have no voice in society.
‘Protest’ in Latin means ‘to bear witness’, to stand up for your convictions publicly. “Protests are always indications of the blind spots in a society’s self-image”[1], so I believe that these textiles should be viewed within the public sphere, hence the proposed application of the designs as upholstery fabric for public transport – textiles which are made to be noticed and not passively consumed. The word ‘omnibus’ means ‘for all’ in Latin, and my designs convey a message of resistance under the current political climate of growing xenophobia and nationalism.
[1] Rogger, B., Vogeli, J., Widmer, R. (ed.) (2018) Protest. Zurich: Lars Muller Publishers, p.38